Tura, 6th Oct: Angered at the Government not listening to their demand for regularization of their services as permanent teachers, the Garo Hills Contractual SET Pass teachers have decided to go on a two day Hunger strike from Tuesday. The protesting teachers said that they have waited for very long for something to be done for their cause as the suspension of still being under contract has been driving things downhill for them and they wanted the Government to understand their issues and help them to give their jobs permanency.
The same team has already gone on an indefinite hunger strike earlier in April with the same set of demands and asked the Government to take their demand seriously. They said that as teachers, job security was right on top of their priorities and it has been more than three years since they have been asking for permanency in their current posts.
The President of the striking teachers, Thengrak M Sangma said, “We are really frustrated with the way the whole thing is going for us. We are already teachers in schools over the past few years and job security is something everyone wants. We are going to fast for two days just to make the Government understand that as teachers we have a huge responsibility for the children we handle and it would be best if it understands our plight and gives us a permanent job so that we don’t have to worry about our next day and concentrate on what we are supposed to do, teach”.
The agitating teachers have been feeling let down with permanency of their posts a far cry. They hope their fast will open the eyes of the Government and give their jobs a semblance of seriousness as they struggle through the two days. The agitation is set to be carried out in front of the DC’s office and is already getting support from the AYWO, Mother’s Union, GSU – South Garo Hills, who have backed their movement to the hilt.(SP News)
