Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Oct: Hundreds of primary school teachers from across Uttarakhand gathered at Parade Grounds here today and marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence to press their 9-Point charter of demands. Teachers from various districts assembled at Parade Ground in the morning, where office-bearers of the Uttarakhand State Primary Teachers‘ Association addressed the gathering and called upon members to remain united in their struggle for their long-pending demands.
Following the meeting, the teachers took out a rally and proceeded towards the Assembly and the Chief Minister’s residence. The demonstration led to traffic disruptions in and around the Parade Ground area for a considerable period. As the protesting teachers reached New Cantt Road, police personnel stopped them by erecting barricades, preventing them from moving forward. Agitated by the police action, the teachers staged a sit-in protest on the road and raised slogans in support of their demands.
Association leaders claim that the teachers, who work tirelessly to shape the future of children across the state, have been compelled to take to the streets as their concerns continue to be ignored by the government and the administration. Chamoli district unit president Digambar Negi alleged that the government is not paying adequate attention to the legitimate issues raised by employees. He said teachers have repeatedly highlighted their concerns through appropriate channels but are yet to receive a satisfactory response.
District president and programme coordinator Dharmendra Rawat said government employees form an integral part of the administrative machinery and play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of welfare schemes and government programmes at the grassroots level. Despite their contribution, he alleged, employee-related issues and demands are not being addressed with the seriousness they deserve. He maintained that in a healthy democracy, every section of society should be heard and its concerns taken into consideration.
The protesting teachers also raised objections to the re-examination process applicable to certain teachers. According to them, educators who had fulfilled all prescribed eligibility criteria and standards at the time of their appointments should not be compelled to undergo another examination process. They demanded appropriate changes in the procedure and called for reconsideration of the matter at the highest level.
The demonstrators asserted that their agitation would continue until a positive decision was taken on their demands. They appealed to the government to resolve the issues facing employees and take suitable steps in the interest of teachers, arguing that addressing their concerns would ultimately contribute to strengthening the state’s education system and improving the welfare of students.
