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Teachers defiant despite warning, parents’ ire
Even as the protest by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations – Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) continued for the second week, thousands of students in government schools across the State had to sit idle in classrooms waiting for teachers to turn up for work.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
The situation in some districts was tense with parents blaming the teachers for striking work at a crucial time. In some places, altercations erupted.
With the Class X and XII board exams just over a month away, headmasters of high and higher secondary schools in the city were instructed by the government to make alternative arrangements for conducting revision tests for Classes X, XI and XII students as per schedule. “Practical exams for Classes XI and XII, to be held from February 1, will be conducted as per the timetable,” a teacher at Pallavaram Government Higher Secondary School said. Stating that the question papers have been already set by the Directorate of Examinations, the teacher said alternative arrangements for holding exams include taking existing teachers’ help.
“Most of the portions were covered and it will not be difficult for students to attend tests and practical exams,” the teacher said. But, she admitted that if the strike continues, students may face a tough time during the board exams, scheduledin March.
Students, who did not have proper classroom sessions over the last week due to the teachers’ strike, said it would be difficult for them to face the revision and practical exams. R Yugendran, a Class XI student at Anakaputhur Government Higher Secondary School, said he was not confident if he would do well in the tests as teachers’ guidance was missing.
Meanwhile, six government-recognised unions of State government employees decided to join the protests from Wednesday.
Over 35k apply for temporary teachers’ posts
The Directorate of School Education has received more than 35,000 applications from candidates for the temporary teaching staff post.
Although the last date for submitting applications ended on Monday, authorities have planned to accept the candidatures today as well as many young graduates have expressed their interest. More counters will be opened at the Directorate to cater to last-minute applicants.
Over 70 per cent of the total applications received so far are from female candidates. Stating that some of the candidates are overqualified, a senior official said most have cleared the mandatory Teachers Eligibility Test (TET).
“All the applications will be scrutinised. The selected candidates will be informed through SMS. They will have to start their duty on Wednesday without any delay,” he said, adding that extra protection will be given to the temporary staff to avoid potential backlash from those currently protesting.
Going by the provisional statistics given by the official, around 3,000 applications each have been received in major cities like Chennai, Tiruchy, Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli.
The official, however, kept the door open for the protesting teachers to return. “We have already appealed to them to join duty immediately,” he said.
“If they do not join, temporary staff will be appointed. However, there is no guarantee that the protesting teachers will get the same post after resuming their duty,” the official said.
“If they decide to give up their agitation before 9 am today, they should inform their respective educational officers. If they fail to do so, their post will be deemed vacant,” he added.
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