Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 15

The Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), Punjab, today demanded effective implementation of 50 per cent attendance rule of the teachers in government schools compulsory.

DTF Punjab state finance secretary and district president, Ashwani Awasthi, said despite the orders passed by the Education Secretary, the rule is not being implemented properly.

“Chief Minister had recently issued instructions for several government offices /schools across Punjab to function with 50% capacity. But the Punjab Education Department has nullified these directives by issuing a letter that this rule applies only to schools with more than 10 staff members. Majority of schools across Punjab, especially in primary and middle schools, have less than 10 school staff members, who do not abide by the rule,” he said.

He also said poor health facilities are also affecting the teaching fraternity. “Declaring teachers as frontline workers, would help them in getting quick medical treatment as teachers have been working offline throughout the pandemic. Also, reducing school hours as required, giving full exemption to pregnant teachers and those who suffer from chronic diseases such as cancer is what we demand from government,” said District Press Secretary DTF Rajesh Kumar Parashar.

He also added that the process of transfer of ETT teachers must be hastened. “It has been more than two months since the orders of general transfers of ETT teachers serving in government schools of the state have been given. But these transfers have not been implemented yet and the teachers are suffering due to this.”

The members also condemned the decision taken in some district to withhold salaries of teachers who do not get vaccinated. In order to expedite the fulfillment of these demands, the Joint Teachers’ Front Punjab has announced block level, tehsil level and district level protest demonstrations from May 17 onwards.