Teachers to hold ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest on February 5; AITA extends support

Bhatkal, 4 Feb: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Demanding the fulfilment of long-pending issues faced by the teaching community, the All India Teachers’ Joint Action Committee has called for a massive ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest in the national capital on February 5. The All India Ideal Teachers’ Association (AITA) has extended complete support to the movement, said M.R. Manvi, State President of AITA Karnataka.

Teachers’ organisations from the primary school level to universities have come together under the banner of the Joint Action Committee. As part of the agitation, a large-scale dharna and satyagraha will be held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from 10 am on February 5.

Several key demands related to the welfare of teachers will be raised during the protest. These include scrapping the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), exempting in-service teachers from the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET), and granting voting rights to primary school teachers in Legislative Council teachers’ constituency elections.

Other demands include the timely implementation of the 8th Pay Commission recommendations, immediate filling up of vacant teaching posts across the country, and regularisation of guest and contract teachers with the provision of a minimum salary. The protesters will also oppose student- and teacher-unfriendly provisions in the New Education Policy, demand a halt to the merger or closure of government schools, and seek exemption of teachers from non-teaching duties.

Calling the agitation crucial for safeguarding teachers’ rights, Manvi urged teachers from across the state to participate in large numbers and make the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest a success.