2,000 teachers may lose promotions

Nearly 2,400 teachers were booked under service rule 17 (a) and 17 (b) that prohibits the promotion of these teachers for the next three years.

For a long time now, the secondary grade teachers of primary schools have been demanding the government to resolve the pay anomalies. However, as the government action failed to satisfy them, the teachers attempted to burn the copy of the GO No 234 and 303 that prevented the provision of pay on a par with central government teachers.

According to Tamil Nadu government employees’ service rule, 17 (a) and 17(b) would be invoked only when a major or minor penalty was warranted based on the gravity of the allegations, if proved.

Under rule 17(b) if the charges were proved, the teachers could still exercise the option of moving the court.

“Teachers should prove their innocence within the stipulated period, otherwise their promotion will be cut as per the law,” said Tamil Nadu Teachers Association Secretary P K Illamaran.

Meanwhile, secondary grade teachers have decided to boycott classes from Tuesday to express their support for the strike called by Government Employees Organisation (JACTTO-GEO).

A spokesperson from the secondary grade teachers’ association said that it has also been decided to launch an indefinite hunger strike from January 31 near the DPI complex to once again press the government to look into pay parity issue.