BY TC News Desk
Agartala, August 22: Over the past month, a significant number of teachers in Tripura have temporarily left their classrooms to serve as booth level officers (BLOs), raising concerns about the impact on students’ education, the secretary of the TTTWA Ajay Pal said on Tuesday.
Briefing the media persons here at Agartala Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, Association secretary Pal stressed that reallocating teachers to election duties has resulted in empty classrooms, adversely affecting students’ learning experiences. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that allows teachers to fulfill their responsibilities without compromising students’ education.
However, Pal also raised concerns about the employment conditions for these teachers, particularly their fixed salaries. The Tripura TET Teachers’ Welfare Association called for the repeal of a policy introduced by the previous Left government, which they perceive as detrimental to teachers and other employees. They urged the government to revise this policy, expressing hope that, under the leadership of the current Chief Minister, teachers associated with Tate will receive the respect and regularization they deserve.
Furthermore, Pal pointed out the confusion among teachers in the state recruited under the National Pension System (NPS). Teachers who completed TET-I and TET-II, particularly STGT and STPGT, have faced challenges from the outset and have been embroiled in legal battles.
He highlighted the plight of those who obtained Special B.Ed. qualifications and joined the TET teaching profession, as they have not been given the opportunity for regular employment despite five years of service and court orders.
The press conference also shed light on disparities in earned leave allocation, with college teachers who played pivotal roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, including managing control rooms, being granted 13 days of earned leave. In contrast, other teachers within the education department allegedly did not receive this recognition.
The Association brought these issues to the forefront during the conference, seeking resolutions and greater support for educators across the state.
