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| 11 yrs on, seasonal teachers await hike in remuneration of Rs 4000 | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 10: During the PDP-Congress coalition government (2002-2008), dozens of mobile seasonal schools were set up in different hilly districts of J&K to provide education to children from nomadic population like Gujjars, Bakerwals, Shepherds (Chopans) etc who otherwise remain illiterate due to absence of schools in the vicinity of their makeshift camps. These schools are operational during summer seasons-May to October-but the teachers who are engaged on seasonal basis are yet to receive a hike in their monthly remuneration of Rs 4000 for nearly 11 years.
At present the seasonal schools are operational in Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Budgam, Shopian, Kupwara, Baramulla, Kargil and few other districts of the state.
Nearly 40,000 students are enrolled in these schools. Every year government seeks services of more than 1100 Educational Volunteers (Teachers) for taking care of these schools.
These volunteer teachers are provided a monthly stipend of Rs 4000. Each mobile school is provided with few tents and stationery. The volunteer teachers are deputed to various places where there is sufficient nomadic/migratory population and the children are enrolled on spot and the schools start their academic session from May till October. These schools provide education up to primary level only (Class 5). From October the students attend the normal government run schools in their respective villages.
Problems faced by students
The mobile seasonal schools are supposed to provide Mid Day meals to the students. But according to reliable sources the majority of the mobile schools (90 percent plus) do not provide these meals.
The tents are supposed to be provided to each mobile school, but the tents were provided to the mobile schools during 2006, 2007 and 2008 in few other districts Budgam which were used for few years.
Now from the last three years majority of students are taught under open sky.
"Only one tent was provided in 2008 for 45 mobile seasonal centers (schools) in Charar-e-Sharief zone, and in such a pathetic condition how can we provide quality education to these poor children?" asked Tariq Ahmad, a seasonal mobile teacher from Charar-e-Sharief.
Problems faced by teachers
The mobile seasonal teachers are engaged for a period of six months only and from the last 11 years they have been demanding job security.
"We are being paid a monthly salary (stipend) of Rs 4000 and from 2004 till date there has been no revision in this stipend. The salaries of government officials have increased under the 6th Pay Commission but we have been totally ignored," said Gulzar Ahmad, another seasonal teacher.
Besides, these teachers are working in very harsh conditions, living away from their homes. They are also forced to take shelter in Gujjar 'dokas'. The monthly stipend is spend on the purchase of ration etc.
"We demand job security and continuation of our empanelment for the whole academic year.
Also, risk allowance must be provided to us as we are on duty for 24 hours in harsh conditions," said a seasonal teacher, Furqaan Ahmad from Khansahib, Budgam.
The seasonal teachers recently met with Education Minister Naeem Akhtar who assured them of addressing their genuine grievances. |
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