Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 25

To support the two ETT teachers who have been protesting atop a mobile tower in the city for the past 66 days, the ETT TET Pass Unemployed Teachers Union took out a protest march here today. After taking their protest through the streets of the city, the protesters burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

Members of the union, after meeting the two protesting teachers atop the mobile tower, said their health was deteriorating with each passing day.

The union claimed that the government’s recent decision to rope in retired teachers for teaching was an attempt to ignore the qualified youths of Punjab.

It was learnt that each District Education Officer (DEO) has been asked to send names of the retired teachers from their respective districts who are willing to extend free teaching to students. “This step, if materialised, will destroy the lives of unemployed young qualified teachers. Posts are lying vacant, but the government, instead of giving jobs to unemployed youths, is out to engage the retired teachers,” said the union.

Sandeep Sama, president of the union, said the government seemingly was least concerned about the two protesting ETT teachers. “I met the protesting teachers. They have refused to climb down until the demands are met. Both have developed various health conditions due to a lack of proper diet and extreme weather conditions.”

Sama said the government should immediately meet their demands and bring the teachers down.