By TC News Desk
Agartala, 24th November 2024: Science teachers under the Bishalgarh unit have raised their voices, demanding an end to the grade pay stagnation they claim has plagued them since 2017.
At a press conference held on Sunday morning, the Science Teachers Association, represented by state committee member Amit Roy, Bishalgarh unit president Haradhan Debnath, and secretary Uttam Debnath, highlighted their grievances and sought immediate intervention from the current government.
According to the association, the previous Left Front government introduced the Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme, fixing grade pay increments at specific intervals—after four, 10, and 17 years of service. However, this policy, reviewed in 2017 under the Pay and Pension Revision Committee, has led to widespread dissatisfaction. The stagnation affects not just science teachers but also educators at various levels and even non-teaching staff.
The ACP scheme has since been replaced by the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme, but the association argues that grade pay increments remain static. They have appealed to the current government to revise the policy, emphasizing that changes could significantly benefit teachers and boost morale.
In addition to their demands, the Graduate Science Teachers Association under the Bishalgarh unit has pledged an initiative to plant banyan trees in all government schools across the state. Over the next five years, science teachers plan to ensure these trees are cared for and nurtured, providing shade for students to relax during breaks.
The press conference also included a note of gratitude to the state government and Chief Minister for granting a 5% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, even in the face of recent devastating floods. The association commended the government’s commitment to supporting teachers despite financial challenges.
