Protesting surplus teachers, 17 associations may strike on December 12

Among the teaching and non-teaching organisations, 17 will take a call today (Thursday), whether or not to protest on December 12, with regards to the surplus teachers issue. However, one of the associations, Shikshak Parishad (ShP), has decided to go ahead with the protest by keeping schools across the state shut. As per ShP, around 7 lakh teaching and non-teaching staff will participate in the bandh by not working on the day.

On November 27, ShP also conducted a rasta roko andolan wherein many were arrested.

Anil Bornare, spokesperson, ShP, said: "Two of our MLCs were stopped from going on a hunger strike by the education minister who claimed that a decision would be taken within 2 days. At the same time, education inspectors in their respective districts are hiring surplus teachers, who then end up losing their jobs."

Bornare addded: "If the minister wishes to take time to reach a decision, he should have ordered his department to not hire surplus teachers. We will also protest in front of different zonal and district offices of the education department."

Kapil Patil, MLC, Shikshak Bharti, said: "Around 17 teaching and non-teaching staff organisations, along with school principals have decided to wait till tomorrow to take a decision on whether or not to go ahead with their protest on December 12. On Thursday, if the education minister doesn't come out with any decision, then we may also call for a bandh."