All Assam Sanyogi Siksha Karmi Union Demands Reappointment, Sets Deadline for Government

Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Aug 9: Highlighting their demands, the All Assam Sanyogi Siksha Karmi Union (AASSKU) organized a dharna at Asom Sarbasiksha Abhiyan Mission office premises at Henrerabari in Guwahati on Thursday. The SSKs demanded that Government abides by the promise made to them and initiate the process of reappointing them.

The teachers’ union has informed that in 2005-06 as per the notification of the Governor, around 10,000 teachers were appointed on merit basis as Sanjyogi Siksha Karmis (SSKs) in Sanjogi Education Centres on contractual, basis. The selection was made by Village Education Committees (VEC) and Tea Garden Education Committees (TGEC). It was also informed that initially the appointment was for 11 months and later the tenure were extended till 31 March 2012. The remuneration fixed was a maximum of Rs 3000 per month. However, once the contract period came to an end, the teachers lost their jobs.

The SSKs also informed that thereafter the organization got down to negotiation with the Government for reappointment, but that the move failed.

Talking to media persons on Thursday, the president of the AASSKU Abdul Kalam said, “The Government has assured us several times that our services would be regularized; but till date nothing has been done. Initially the number of such teachers was around 10,000 but as of now only 3000 of us are left while the remaining lot have managed their own sources of livelihood.

Under the same guideline, the teachers belonging to the Sikshamitra group were also appointed. However, now special TET has been held for them and they are being appointed by the Government. In west Bengal 75,000 Sanjyogi Siksha Karmis have been regularized without TET. On Feb 23 , 2016 a tripartite talk attended by the AASSKU representatives, the then Education Minister and senior officials of the Education Department was held.

In the said meeting the authorities adopted the decision that the SSKs would be reappointed at the pre-primary level; but date the Government has done nothing. Again on August 31 and September 20, 2017, meetings were held with the then Education Minister where assurance was given by the Minister that the special TET would be held for the SSKs. Further, the Minister asked them to join the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and complete the D El Ed course. Thereafter as per the Minister’s advice, 3000 SSKs joined the course and are pursuing the same at present. However, the Government is not at all serious about our issue or holding special TET exam in our interest,” Kalam added.

He further said that in view of the Govt;Government’s apathy, the SSKs have undertaken the dharna programme and have demanded that in the matter of re-appointment, the Government makes its stand clear within Aug 15. In case the same is not done by the Government, the AASSKU would undertake a gherao programme at the residence of the chief Minister on August 27.

The main demands of the AASSKU are that the SSKs be appointed as teachers at the pre primary level and that in schools where the provision of supporting teachers exit, the SSKs be appointed.