Students take to streets to end teachers’ stir over salary dues

GURGAON: Hundreds of students of Dev Samaj Vidya Niketan Senior Secondary School in Krishna colony on Monday took to the streets to express their disappointment over the ongoing tussle between their teachers and the school administration over non-payment of salaries that has affected their classes.

The students claimed that the teachers have been on a strike since October 16 resulting in the suspension of classes. "Our education is suffering. We have to complete our syllabus. Over the last one week, we haven't been attending classes. If it continues this way, we will suffer immensely," said Sakshi, a student.

On Monday, students got ready for school as usual, but instead of entering the school premises they gathered at the gate and demonstrated for over 3 hours — from 8am to 11.30am — against the administration and the teachers.

"Thought the protest resulted in traffic being disrupted but no reports of scuffle came in from the spot and the children protested in a peaceful manner," said a traffic cop stationed near the spot.

On the other hand, teachers while speaking to TOI claimed that though they are aware of the difficulties the students were facing but they are helpless as they haven't been paid their salaries for the past two months. "We are not being given salaries and the principal expects us to attend classes," said a teacher, requesting anonymity.

The students called off the protest after the intervention of district magistrate Bharat Bhushan.

"When parents and students contacted me this morning and apprised me of the issue, I accompanied them to the school and met the principal. I told the school administration that this is a management issue and students must not suffer because of this. I asked them to resolve the matter immediately and not play politics with students future."

However, Bhushan informed TOI that the salaries of the teachers was released shortly after he left the school premises. "As I am a public servant, it is my responsibility to ensure that issues are sorted at the earliest. The school administration also showed me photocopies of the cheques to testify that they have indeed released the salary."

Speaking to TOI, principal Sharda Sharma said, "The salaries have been released and the matter stands resolved. The classes will resume tomorrow (Tuesday) as per the time table."