Diphu: Teachers day was observed as “Day of Betrayal Day” by hundreds of venture school teachers in Diphu yesterday. Empty dishes and begging bowls were put on show by teachers in a sit-in-demonstration at the office of the Karbi Anglong Inspector of Schools, demanding provincialisation of all venture schools.
The agitation of the teaching and non teaching employees of venture schools led by ‘Karbi Anglong Venture High schools Teachers and Employees Association’ informed the press that this was the demonstration of their first phase of protest.
During the four hour protest of the KAVHSTEA activists, copies of ‘Assam Venture Educational Institution (Provincialisation) Act 2011’ were burned by the agitators, claiming it irrelevant for the promotion of education in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, as this Act has no special leverage for the sixth schedule tribes.
KAVHSTEA assistant general secretary Shantiram Terang alleged that only the venture high schools established on or before 1st January 2006 and recognized by the Secondary Education Board of Assam will be eligible for provincialisation. The agitation is for recognition of the venture schools established before 2006 and amendment of the act especially for the two hill districts.
The KAVHSTEA submitted a memo to the Chief Minister of Assam for amending the act and fixation of salary for the high school teachers @ Rs 15000/- per month and Rs 17000/- for the high secondary teachers. Shantiram Terang resented the fact that the Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in charge of Education department has failed to address any of their grievances even after one year since his assurance that he would. This is the reason they are preparing for more vigorous agitation.
