As the protest by guest teachers enters the fifth day, the Aam Aadmi Party government has called for a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to consider and approve a “policy to avail uninterrupted services” of guest teachers.
Thousands of guest teachers have been protesting at Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s residence since March 1. A notification issued on February 28 had said that the contracts of the guest teachers at Delhi government schools had been discontinued, leading to confusion among teachers regarding their service.
Demanding regularisation of service and fresh policies to address the issues, teachers have been protesting since Friday at the residence of Mr. Sisodia, who is also the Education Minister.
Writes to L-G
On Tuesday, Mr. Sisodia wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal urging his intervention in the matter.
“As per the misinterpretation of constitutional scheme of governance, the matter of appointment of teachers, hiring new permanent or guest teachers, creating new posts, continuing or discontinuing the services of guest or contract teachers are being taken by the Central government in the name of service matter…your inaction has not only brought thousands of guest teachers on the streets but also the entire government school system on a verge of collapse,” read the letter to L-G.
Mr. Sisodia further said that guest faculty protesting constitute 38% of teachers currently posted in government schools.
“This is the month when apart from exams, teachers are required to check the answer sheets, prepare results and get ready for the next academic session…and you expect that remaining 62% teachers will be able to do it on their own?” said Mr. Sisodia in the letter.
Protesters shave head
As a mark of protest, some of the guest teachers present at the protest venue shaved their heads, demanding a solution to the long impending demand.
The Delhi High Court in October last year had ordered continuation of services of guest teachers till February 28.