Teachers call off strike, to start checking HSC papers

Over 22,000 teachers on Monday called off their boycott of paper evaluation, saying the state had accepted most of their demands. The protest had resulted in a pile-up of 94 lakh unchecked HSC answer sheets.

The Mumbai Junior College Teachers’ Union affiliated to the Maharashtra State Federation of Junior College Teachers’ Organisation announced the decision following a meeting with State Education Minister Vinod Tawde. 

Union chairperson Anil Deshmukh said the state has issued an order to this effect. “Keeping in mind the future of all the students, the union has decided to call off the boycott. There won’t be a delay in results.” 

Among the demands of the Union are a pension scheme for teachers who joined after November 1, 2005, aid for those in unaided institutes and resolution of the issue of salary delay.

Tawde said they have agreed to demands like cashless medical facilities, paid leaves for those with research degrees to attend conferences. “The other demands pertain to the finance department and will be considered after a meeting with the finance minister on March 10.”