Agitating temporary teachers in Jharkhand seek pay hike

Teaching in government schools is Jharkhand has been hit as 80,000 temporary teachers are camping in the state capital for the past four days, demanding a pay hike and regularisation of services.

The teachers from different districts arrived here on Sunday, seeking fulfilment of their demands.

They are camping at the Morabdi ground here. Their delegation met Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Sunday who assured them that he would look into the issue.

The matter was raised by opposition parties in the state assembly on Monday. On Wednesday, the assembly witnessed an uproar over the temporary teachers' demands, with the parties raising the issue during question hour.

Opposition parties raised slogans and demanded that the state government fulfil the demands of the teachers as their strike had crippled the education system, especially primary education in government-run schools.

Jharkhand Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Rai said "The Jharkhand government took cognizance of the matter and sent a proposal to the Centre to increase the payment. The government of India provides 75 percent of the salary of temporary teachers and the state government only 25 percent."

Hemant Soren, the former chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the assembly said: "Every year this problem arises and the government should be sensitive towards the demands of those who help in laying the foundation of our future generations."

The chief minister said that the state government is committed to provide quality education to the students in the state. However, it would not compromise on the quality of the teachers.