LPs, PETs on agitation path in Tirupati

Tirupati: Language Pandits (LPs) working in upper primary and high schools in the State have been crying foul that they were subjected to severe injustice for several years. They are alleging that the government has been showing step motherly treatment towards them by giving all priority to Secondary Grade Teachers (SGTs) in promotions.

LPs have been strongly demanding that Pandit posts are to be upgraded and filled with LPs only. With this demand, the LPs and Physical Education Teachers (PETs) across the State have decided to boycott teaching work to classes 8th to 10th from August 21.

There are 10,224 LPs and 2,000 PETs in the state. Of them, 1,555 LPs and 304 PETs are working in Chittoor district. As per GO No 91, LPs have to teach for only 6th and 7th class students whereas their services were being utilised for all classes up to 10th. When it comes to gross promotions, these LPs were being side lined as SGTs are getting the opportunities.

The Pandits argue that SGTs, who teach classes from 1st to 5th students obtaining fake certificates in most of the cases and grabbing the opportunities in promotions showing the seniority. They are lamenting injustice is being done to LPs in promotions for almost two decades. Even, the teachers' associations are supporting SGTs as there were in large numbers.

But when it comes to voting in MLC and other elections, they give assurance to LPs that they will fight for their cause as they will have voting right. The LPs have agitated on many occasions earlier and even held a 'Padayatra' from Kurnool to Hyderabad when N Kiran Kumar Reddy was the Chief Minister in the combined State of AP. They said that the then CM agreed to resolve all their problems, but they did not materialise as elections came in.

Keeping in mind, the future of students, they have been continuing their work and attending the class work for classes 8th to 10th though there were not intended for it. But this time they were committed to fight by confining their work for classes 6th and 7th only as per their job chart.

The District Joint Secretary of State Language Teachers Association (SLTA) V Devanand has said that they will not resume class work for classes 8th to 10th until their demands are addressed by the government.

Even in attendance registers, names of LPs and PETs find a place at the end irrespective of their seniority. Many LPs were attaining superannuation in that capacity only as there are no promotions.

Both LPs and PETs have formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to fight unitedly. The JAC leaders met Education Minister A Suresh in this regard and failed to get any concrete assurance. They have decided to go on agitation path with their just demand.