Govt accepts two demands, teachers resume work today

MUMBAI, January 21: The state government has acceded to two of the striking teachers' demands: preference to part-time teachers for the p...

MUMBAI, January 21: The state government has acceded to two of the striking teachers’ demands: preference to part-time teachers for the post of full-time teachers in the same institution in case of a vacancy; and appointment of a vice-principal in junior colleges, subject to a decision taken by the court.

But this, clarified School Education Minister Sudhir Joshi, did not imply that the government was giving in to the teachers’ demands. “We have not given the teachers any commitment that their demands will be met. They have called off the strike and therefore, as the cabinet had announced earlier, we will negotiate their demands,” he said. The next cabinet meeting is slated for January 28.

The vice president of the Maharashtra Federation of Junior College Teachers’ Organisation R Andhalkar, confirmed receiving the letter stating the government’s acceptance of the demands. As per the union, teachers will resume work this Friday. Colleges have pasted up notices announcing the resumption of classes fromFriday, added Principal M G Shirahatti of Lala Lajpatrai College.

The union had dug in its heels for 41 days, and despite cabinet decisions, had announced that the agitation would continue till demands were met. Justifying the union’s capitulation in the midst of the struggle week’ Andhalkar said, “The decision was due to compulsion; for the sake of students.” Bal Thackeray’s assurance to the teachers that their demands would be considered was another factor, he added. The union now feels, in the same vein, that it will not resort to agitation notwithstanding the outcome of the cabinet meeting. The government now has to hold theory and practical HSc exams on time. However, principals are slated to forward a letter to the government asking for a delay in the HSc exam to ensure completion of the syllabus, Principal Shirahatti told Newsline.