TSUTF bats for changes in education system

​Mahbubnagar: The three-day 2nd Telangana State Untied Teachers' Federation (TSUTF) Mahasabha which ended here on Monday came out with a 20-point resolution to bring in drastic policy changes in the State and Central education systems.

As part of this, the TSUTF demanded that the government make all the ZPHS schools with strength of less than 100 students to convert into residential schools and fill all the 27,000 teachers’ posts which are left vacant during the past two years.

“There are about 750 ZPHS schools across Telangana which have less than 100 students each. Instead of closing them down, we want the government to convert these schools into residential schools and provide more funds to improve enrolment and quality of education,” said A Narsi Reddy, TSUTF president.

Major points which reflected in the TSUTF resolution include amendment of Right to Education Act 2009 to make it more effective so that compulsory education can be imparted to all children between the age group of 3-18 years.

“To ensure that every class in primary schools has a teacher, the Central government must amend the Right to Education Act 2009 and ensure at least 6 per cent of India’s GDP be spent for the development of education in the country,” observed Reddy.

Among other important points the TSUTF raised in its draft resolution are implementation of KG to PG education programme, strengthening of existing schools, takeover of all aided schools by the government, provision of drinking water and toilets in all schools,

improving the food quality of mid-day meals, integration of Anganwadi schools with the government primary schools, immediate release of DSC notification, protection of secular and democratic values in education system and strengthening of educational resource centres at mandal level.

Apart from this, the teachers’ union also discussed various issues concerning the teachers’ service rules because of which many eligible teachers are not able to get promotions to the higher levels.

“We want the government to immediately draft new service rules and ensure that the teachers get justice in promotions.

We also want the government to immediately fill 21 DEO posts which are left vacant due to bifurcation and emergence of new districts in the State,” added Chava Ravi, secretary, TSUTF.

The members of TSUTF also demanded that the government appoint 1 DEO for every 40 high schools and asked to immediately sanction 66 Deputy DEOs and 40 MEOs posts in the State.

The final draft resolution also dwelled upon removal of the compensatory pension scheme and implementation of old pension scheme and demanded upgrading of pundit, PIT and specialists teachers’ posts through a notification.

Other important issues which reflected in the final draft of the TSUTF resolution are regularisation of KGBV teachers and solution to the problems of teachers working in model schools and tribal welfare schools by regularising services.

Finally the TSUTF also wanted the government to give two-year childcare leave to women teachers and implementation of employees’ health cards.

“Despite repeated requests, the State government has not released the nine-month PRC arrears announced by the Chief Minister.

If the government does not heed, we will go on a strike and press to release the arrears at the earliest,” said Ravi.