Teachers in Patiala staged a fiery protest on Wednesday, burning an effigy of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to voice their strong opposition against being assigned non-teaching duties. The demonstration, organized by the Punjab State Teachers Union, saw hundreds of educators gather at the local district administrative complex, holding placards and chanting slogans against the state government's policies.
Details of the Protest
The teachers alleged that the imposition of tasks such as election duty, census work, and other administrative assignments has severely disrupted classroom teaching. They argued that these additional responsibilities violate the Right to Education Act and compromise the quality of education provided to students. The effigy burning, a symbolic act of defiance, was meant to draw attention to what they describe as the government's failure to prioritize education.
Union's Demands
The union presented a charter of demands, including the immediate withdrawal of all non-teaching duties, filling of vacant teaching posts, and implementation of the new education policy. They also sought a dialogue with the Chief Minister to address their grievances. Union leaders stated that if their demands are not met within a week, they will escalate the protest to a statewide strike.
Government Response
As of now, no official response has been received from the Chief Minister's office or the state education department. However, local administration officials have assured the protesters that their concerns will be conveyed to higher authorities. The protest remained peaceful, with police maintaining a tight vigil to prevent any untoward incident.
Impact on Education
Teachers emphasized that the diversion of their time and energy to non-academic work is detrimental to students' learning outcomes. They pointed out that many schools are already understaffed, and assigning teachers to other duties exacerbates the problem. Parents and student groups have expressed solidarity with the teachers, urging the government to resolve the issue promptly.
