Teachers call off protest after Vinod Tawde promises aid

Teachers of 1,628 schools that were eligible for financial aid from the government and were protesting for the same can finally heave a sigh of relief.

On Tuesday, education minister Vinod Tawde declared that 20 per cent aid will be given to 1,628 schools where a total of 19,247 teachers will be benefited. However, this will put a burden of Rs163.21 crore on the state exchequer.

From June 1, teachers from mostly Marathi, Urdu and Hindi medium schools that were declared aided in 2012-2013 have been protesting across the state, including Mumbai. On Monday, around 600-700 teachers held a candle march protest at Azad Maidan till the Mantralaya.

On one hand where teachers from the city have withdrawn their protest after the Tawde's announcement, teachers protesting in different parts of Maharashtra will go on with their agitation, claimed spokesperson of Maharashtra Principals Association Prashant Redij.

He said: "We are relieved with the announcement done by the education minister Vinod Tawde. Hence, we have decided to withdraw our protest that was being held at the Azad Maidan since June 1. However, teachers from other parts of the city from around 600 schools, whose schools are yet to be given aided status, will continue their protest."

According to the Tawde's announcement 1,628 schools includes 2,452 division. The aid will be applicable for the schools from this academic year.