Over 3K candidates apply for temporary teacher positions amidst indefinite JACTO GEO strike

With more than 5,000 school teachers associated with JACTO GEO staging strike, a large number of applicants flocked towards the Education department office for applications to the post of temporary faculty in prevailing government schools aggravates in the district. But at the same time members of the JACTO GEO urges that until the government comes forth to address their issues the protest will keep on aggravating across the state.

Urging the state government to address their nine charter demands including the old pension scheme, availing the 21-months pending pay and stopping the merger of 3,500 primary schools with high schools and higher secondary schools. Several thousands of teachers associated with Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisation-Government Employees Organisation (JACTO-GEO) has gone on indefinite strike from January 21.

Following which more than 5,000 teachers from government and government-aided schools associated with JACTO GEO has been staging a protest in the district. Leaving more than several hundred schools to be given leave for the past couple of days. Though the government has been taking action over the protester to make them return to their worker protest continues.

While speaking, Manikandan, a functionary from JACTO GEO Tiruchy said, "Though the decision of temporary teachers for substituting us, we appreciate the government move of bringing the temporary faculty for the welfare of the students. But until the government accepts our demands the protesting will keep on aggravating in the state." He also added that as there are many vacant posts in the department, there are possibilities these candidates can be recruited to the regular duty.

Speaking to Express, M Ramakrishnan, Chief Educational Officer (CEO) of Tiruchy said, "With more than 5,000 teachers from various schools are participating in the ongoing protest, leaving us no choice to give leave for half of the schools which lacks adequate teachers to handle the students. Considering the welfare of the students the government has opted to recruit a temporary teacher to work in schools till the protest concludes."

He added that we have received more than 3,000 application from candidates for the temporary post till Sunday, following the verification these candidates will be placed in all schools for taking classes for the students till the protest concludes. Ramakrishnan also stated that as the quick remedy from Monday training teachers from colleges will be deputed in all schools till this selection process of temporary faculties.

On the other hand, parents are getting agitated following the continuous protest from the teachers, speaking about that M Sasikala, a parent from Manapparai, said "The final term has started, without considering the students' situation, these teachers are continuing to stage protests for their benefits. They can protest in novel ways in which the students' education is not affected."

While the indefinite strike called by Joint Action Council of Tamilnadu Teachers Organisation - Government Employees Organisation (JACTTO-GEO) has been going on since January 22, urging the government to meet their nine-point charter of demands, the state government has made a clear decision appointing temporary staff in order to run the government schools.

In addition to saying that the demands are unreasonable and cannot be met by it. Meanwhile, as many as 72 government employees including 57 teachers were arrested on last Friday and lodged in Salem prison. In Namakkal district, over 2,000 applications from unemployed graduates were received by School Education Department (SED) at the last couple of days alone in Namakkal. Without age different, several persons have come forward in order to serve in government schools with Rs 10,000 salary.

Interestingly, few young degree holders said to Express that they were ready to teach in government schools lacking salary, because, their intention was to teach government school students as they also studied there. On the other hand, graduate teacher Ganesan told Express that they have planned to intensify their protest on Monday.