Mushtaq Bhat Vengeance
SSA scheme was launched in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2002-03. It is implemented as a flagship program of Govt of India with an avowed aim of universalizing elementary education. Thousands of unemployed, young energetic and qualified youth were appointed as Rehbar e taleem teachers on the basis of academic merits under this scheme.
These Rehbar e taleem teachers worked tirelessly to infuse our ailing education sector which is evident from the increasing literacy rate in state.
While this community has been working hard in the remotest and toughest terrains of state to promote the education, the government had appointed them initially for just Rs 1500 stipend per month. And it had given them a hope at the end of tunnel to regularize their jobs once five years tenure is completed.
As it was a policy of government, any regularization after the successful completion of five years tenure by the said candidate was not required to have any further approvals from the finance or any other department.
However, these teachers have now become scapegoats for none of their fault and are facing hardships from last few years due to non releasing of their salaries regularly. It has become routine for them that every time they need hard earned wages, they have to protest on roads.
Moreover, these teachers were given all the benefits including 6th pay commission but were isolated and denied from the implementation of 7th pay commission which is illogical, in sensible and appears to be the consequences of some political vengeance on part of people with helm of affairs.
It is pertinent here to mention that when a person opts for an employment his main motive behind the job is to earn bread and butter to feed his kith and kins.
And there is no legal or moral ground to stop them from their legitimate rights.
The government seems hell-bent upon this scheme which have compelled the teachers to opt the spirit of struggle and dedication towards their cause by actively participating in indefinite hunger strike at Pratap park Srinagar from last ten days under the banner of Teachers Joint action committee lead by Mr Abdul Qayoom Wani.
The civil society is also supporting and participating in solidarity with the teachers who are at hunger strike. Now the issue has snowballed into a major row due to inept attitude of people who are holding the reins of state affairs.
Ironically, no official from education department has visited them ever since the hunger strike was started at Pratab Park. Due to non release of salaries, most of the teachers who have no other source of income face lots of hardships back home not only to fulfil the family responsibilities however, the education of their children also suffer.
Education is the backbone of every nation. It’s the education which plays a great role in developing the nation in every field. It plays like a critical role in the development of one country.
If the people of a nation are educated then they can easily help them in development and the teachers are the agency for the transformation of society. And the nation where you disturb and disgrace these transformation agencies will have its ill effects for its progress.
Every citizen of the state is appealing his excellence, the Governor and his advisors if they are serious in bringing the shattered system of education back on track they must take cognizance of the situation and redress the issues and legitimate demands of nation builders which is going to create mess and fuss in the department. Vengeance Vengeance Vengeance Vengeance
Author is a social activist and can be mailed at [email protected]
