Mizoram: Students unable to write exams as teachers agitate

Newmai News Network

Aizawl | November 25

 

Thousands of students in primary and middle schools across Mizoram could not write their annual examinations following an agitation launched by a teachers' organisation.

 

Commencing from November 21, Federation of Mizoram Samagra Employees (FEMSE), an umbrella association of all teachers employed under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Mdhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan launched indefinite strike by taking mass casual leave across the state, demanding increase in salary and 70 per cent reservation for corresponding posts in the ongoing recruitment undertaken by the Mizoram Education department.

 

The Federation had submitted a memorandum to Assembly Speaker, Lalrinliana Sailo and Education department Secretary and Commissioner Esther Lalruatkimi on November 8 asking the state government to fulfill its demand failing which it had threatened that it would launch agitation from November 21. The Federation also stated that the salaries of those employed under SSA and RMSA have not been revised since 2011.

 

Meanwhile, the state government on Monday asked the agitating teachers to call off the strike and resume their works on or before November 27 failing which the teachers would be replaced.

 

Speaking to reporters during a press conference at his office chamber here on Monday, Education minister Lalchhandama Ralte said the teachers' body has not officially intimated its demands to the chief minister and the concerned minister (himself). He also said that the state government has been taking effort to raise the salaries of the teachers. Lalchhandama Ralte further said that the state government as of now is not in a position to fulfill their demands.

 

Asking the agitating teachers to call of the strike, Ralte said that those teachers who do not have "responsibility" would be either sacked or replaced if they fail to resume their duty on or before November 27.

 

Lalchhandama Ralte then said that the government has instructed all local councils, village councils and "village education committee" to find suitable teachers in their respective areas to replace the those agitating teachers and submit the proposals on or before November 28 if the teachers continue to agitate. He also expressed regret for thousands of students who are unable to write their exams due to the strike.

 



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