Punjab Teachers Protest on Teacher Day Over Neglect Higher Education
Teachers from 136 aided colleges in Punjab, including 22 in Ludhiana, marked Teacher Day on Thursday with black badges in protest against the state government’s neglect of higher education. The demonstration, led by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), highlighted ongoing issues such as the non-implementation of the 7th pay scale and reduced grants for teaching positions.
PCCTU district president Chamkaur Singh expressed his frustration, stating, “It is very embarrassing for us to protest on Teacher’s Day to remind the government that they are failing Punjab’s higher education.” He criticized the state’s delay in enforcing the 7th pay scale, which had been announced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on September 5, 2022, but remains unimplemented. Singh also blamed the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) office for not processing essential documents promptly, warning of larger protests if action is not taken.
Demands for Fair Pay and Proper Grants: The protest saw participation from various educational leaders, including Punjab University area secretary Raman Sharma, who demanded a 95% grant for all posts in aided colleges. Sharma argued that the grant cut from 95% to 75% for 1,925 newly filled positions, following a high court order, has placed a significant financial burden on colleges, impacting teachers’ pay.
Varun Goel, a PCCTU Central Committee member, echoed this sentiment, urging the government to restore the full 95% grant to ensure that teachers are compensated fairly. The financial strain on colleges has been exacerbated by the government’s reduction in grants, which many see as undermining the quality of education.
Broader Protests Across the Education Sector: In addition to the PCCTU-led demonstration, the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), a union of government school teachers, staged its own protest against the state’s education policies. Led by key figures such as district president Daljit Samrala and district general secretary Harjit Singh Sudhar, the DTF criticised the government’s centralisation efforts and failure to address the financial and professional needs of educators.
The DTF presented a demand letter to the Chief Minister through the Ludhiana deputy commissioner, listing various grievances. Their key demands included the restoration of the old pension scheme, rural allowances, regularisation of teaching and non-teaching staff, and adherence to fair pay scales as per the Punjab Civil Service Rules. The teachers also called for transparency in transfer policies and emergency leave benefits.
Call for Education Policy Reforms: Among the protesters’ other demands was the repeal of the 2020 New Education Policy, which they claim promotes ineffective educational practices. The teachers stressed the need for immediate government action to protect the quality of education in Punjab, with a firm resolve to continue protests until their issues are addressed.
The state government has yet to respond to the protest, but the growing unrest among educators signals that significant reforms may be required to restore stability to Punjab’s higher education system.
This comprehensive article covers the ongoing protests by teachers across Punjab and their demands for government action, ensuring visibility for relevant search queries regarding education protests in Punjab.
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