Now, teachers threaten to boycott Std XII board exams

Only two days after principals took back their decision to boycott the state board exams over the school bus policy, junior college teachers across the state have now decided to follow in their footsteps.

The Maharashtra State Federation of Junior College Teachers’ Organisations (MSFJCTO) has threatened to boycott the Std XII board exams, scheduled to start on February 3, 2014, if their demands are not met. Earlier this year, the teachers had boycotted the Std XII board exams, which had begun on February 21, to press for their demands.

On March 13, 2013, the teachers began the evaluation after a letter from the state said their demands will be met. Some of their demands are immediate appointments to fill vacancies, resolving discrepancies in pay scales and considering the total service of a teacher irrespective of appointment in aided or unaided colleges with respect to promotions and appraisals.

MSFJCTO secretary Anil Deshmukh said they will give the state several chances before they finally boycott the exam-related process to ensure students aren’t affected.

Starting with a token protest at Azad Maidan on December 3, the organisation will intensify the protest over the next two months if the demands are not met.

“Then the state can’t blame us for delaying the evaluation process and announcement of results,” he said.