J&K teachers take out protest march to press their demands

Srinagar: Scores of government teachers took out a protest march here on Saturday in support of their demands, including release of salaries of teachers engaged under various centrally-sponsored schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

The teachers, under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF), led by its chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, assembled near the office of Director Education here and marched towards the office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.

The rally was allowed by the police to proceed and it culminated peacefully near the DC's office.

Wani and other leaders of JKTF then submitted a memorandum of demands to Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon for their early redressal.

The demands include the release of salaries of teachers, Rehbar-e-Taleems (ReTs) and head teachers working under central schemes such as SSA, RMSA and Saakshar Bharat Mission (SBM), and regularisation of the services of ReTs who have completed five year services, settlement of all time-bound cases, pending General Provident (GP) fund bills and resolution of other issues immediately, failing which the protest would be intensified.

Wani also asked the government not to go ahead with conducting a screening test for the ReTs.

He also asked the state government not to implement any ban on the teaching of government teachers at the private coaching centres.

He said the forum will meet in Jammu on December 7 to chalk out the further course of action if the government failed to address their demands.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, has said the announcement of the release of the salaries under SSA would be made soon.

"Continuing with the release of pending funds, the government has released Rs 35 crore under Mid Day Meal schme and almost all pending liabilities on this account will be cleared now. Education Minister has directed for immediate clearing of the pending claims. The announcement of the release of the salaries under SSA would be made soon," the Directorate said on its official Facebook page.

The department has also ordered 1141 time bound promotion cases of teachers and masters.