Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 17 2010:
Teachers appointed by Education (S) on contract basis in 2006 to fill up shortage of teachers in hill districts of Manipur have pressed for a extension of their service.
In a press meet held at Kuki Inn Imphal today, President, All Manipur Hill District Contract Basis Teachers' Association, Khongam Malangmei said that if their demands were not met they would be constrained to launch an agitation.
Khongam Malangmei said that in 2006 when there was a large shortage of teachers in the hilly districts ATSUM and Government of Manipur signed an MoU and accordingly 1332 contract teachers were appointed to fill the gap.
The services of the contract teachers were between May to July, and extended from August to October in 2006.In 2007 it was extended from April to September, in 2008 extension was from September to December and thereafter their contract services have not been extended till date, he declared.
He also said that there is still a large shortage of teachers in the hill district.
He lamented the non-extension of this services till date and asserted that the demands of the teachers includes extension of contract services, 50 percent increase in their salary and a special DPC.
He added that if the Government failed to give a response to their demands by August 20, they would launche a 'Back to Imphal' agitation.
He also stated that almost all the teachers who had joined as teachers on contract service have now crossed the age bar to enter fresh government jobs and all of them are in a pitiable plight.
He went on to disclose that some of the contract service teachers are still continuing in hill district schools on demands by village authorities and are being paid by villagers.
He also claimed that the contract teachers were appointed on a merit by Education (S).
As there is ashortage of teachers in the hill districts the non-extension of contract service for teachers in the hill districts by the Government is being denounced by the All Manipur Hill District Contract Basis Teachers' Association.
Taking into consideration the welfare of hill district students and the teachers in the hill districts, he appealed for the extension of their contract service.
In today's press meet which was held at Kuki Inn, other office bearers of All Manipur Hill District Contract Basis Teachers Association were also present.