Ad-hoc teachers continue protest, rally in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 06 Nov: Ad-hoc teachers of schools from different parts of the state came together today to join the rally called by the All Sikkim Ad-hoc Teachers here in the capital in pursuit of their demands.
The ad-hoc teachers, carrying banners and placards, started the rally from the venue of their dharna in front of the District Administrative Centre [East] and walked to Hospital Dara, on to Tibet Road, Tashiling Secretariat Road, ending at Guards Ground, Tathangchen.
An executive member of All Sikkim Ad-hoc Teachers informed that ad-hoc teachers from different schools across the state participated in the rally. He stated that the rally was peaceful and successful with encouraging participation from ad-hoc teachers.
Such activities along with the ongoing dharna and hunger strike will continue till the HRD Department takes appropriate action regarding the various demands of the ad-hoc teachers, he added. The protesting teachers are seeking, among others, an end to the annual ritual of appointing the teachers afresh with no regard to their past years of service as teachers on ad-hoc, 50% reservation for ad hoc teachers in Teacher Eligibility Test [without any qualifying criteria] etc.