SSC Teacher Protest: ‘Education Minister Must Meet by Monday, Or Else…’ Warn Sacked Teachers
SSC Teacher Protest: Recently, many teachers lost their jobs due to the cancellation of a recruitment panel following allegations of corruption. Many among them claim to be qualified and untainted, and they have taken to the streets to reclaim their respect and jobs. This incident has created a deep crisis and concern in the state’s education sector.
Background and Current Situation
It is known that a teacher recruitment panel was canceled based on 17 allegations of corruption. However, a section of the teachers who lost their jobs claims they are fully qualified and have no corruption charges against them. They also believe that some recent Supreme Court observations support their claim. Despite this, they remain unemployed.
In this situation, qualified teachers have been protesting for some time. Recently, respecting a High Court order, they temporarily changed their protest venue but have not ended their movement. Their main demand is an immediate meeting with the Education Minister, or even the Chief Minister, to find a solution and be reinstated in their jobs with dignity.
Teachers’ Demands and Next Steps
The protesting teachers have stated that they have given a deadline until Monday for a meeting with the Education Minister. If no meeting occurs by then, they will proceed with a larger movement. They have already sent letters to all Members of Parliament (MPs), irrespective of party affiliation, explaining their situation and seeking support.
They further report that in the past, they had sent emails and hard copy letters to the Education Minister requesting a meeting, but received no response. Currently, they are demanding an officially certified copy stating that they are untainted and qualified.
Legal Context and Humanitarian Appeal
Various orders and observations from the Supreme Court and High Court have emerged in this case. The jobless teachers state that the High Court has asked for their situation to be viewed with sympathy and a humane approach. They have appealed to the government to consider their plight and arrange for their immediate reinstatement. They have described their movement not just as a fight to get their jobs back, but as a battle to restore their dignity.
Approximately 19,000 teachers are affected by this situation, and they plan to continue their protest in rotation, adhering to the 200-person limit. They have also protested against attempts to tarnish their long-standing peaceful and non-violent movement.
It now remains to be seen how much importance the state government and the education department give to the demands and humanitarian appeal of these qualified jobless teachers and what steps are taken to resolve this complex issue. Dispelling this uncertainty and restoring the dignity and careers of qualified teachers is the need of the hour.
