Vocational subject teachers in Himachal Pradesh held a protest at Chaura Maidan on Monday, demanding the immediate payment of their delayed salaries and arrears. The teachers, who work in over 1,100 government schools, suspended their classes and organized a dharna to highlight the issue. According to Ashwani Datwalia, president of the Vocational Teacher Association, the teachers are calling for the immediate dismissal of the service provider companies that employed them, alongside the prompt settlement of their outstanding payments.
The protestors, who cater to around 80,000 students in classes 9-12, have been dealing with this issue for some time. Vocational education in the state was introduced in 2013, and the teachers were hired through private companies. However, many have faced delays in receiving their salaries and arrears, which has led to increasing frustration. Datwalia noted that on October 5, the Directorate of Education directed the companies to clear the arrears by October 20, but several companies failed to comply.
“We are here on dharna, but no official has come to talk to us. The fact that the students are suffering is bothering us, and we are willing to end the strike provided the government gives us assurance,” Datwalia told PTI.
In response to the strike, Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar dismissed the protest as unnecessary, stating that the teachers were making an issue out of something that had already been addressed. Kanwar also pointed out that funds had been allocated to the companies under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and only one company had failed to pay the arrears. He further emphasized that the teachers’ salaries were increased this year, and warned that action would be taken if the teachers did not resume their classes.
Datwalia, however, warned of escalating the protest if the demands were not met. The teachers have urged the government to handle the payments directly rather than relying on the private companies, citing their failure to resolve the issue.
This ongoing protest highlights the significant concerns among vocational teachers about their compensation and the overall functioning of vocational education in the state. The situation remains unresolved, and both parties continue to stand firm in their positions.
