Kolkata: Thousands of contractual ICT computer teachers working across West Bengal’s govt and govt-aided schools, who are a part of an indefinite overnight sit-in demonstration outside the Bikash Bhavan, have demanded immediate job security and govt contracts up to 60 years of age.The agitation erupted after private third-party agencies informed teachers appointed prior to 2022 that their contracts would not be renewed. Their services will terminate on Sept 30, and they have been instructed to hand over all official records by Oct 9.On Monday, protesters marched from Karunamoyee towards Bikash Bhavan to demand job security and integration into the School Education Department. Pushing past police barricades, they staged a demonstration at the main entrance. Protesters pointed out that computer teachers recruited in phases 1 through 5 were previously brought under direct govt contracts, and demanded that the same benefit be extended to those recruited in phases 6 and 7.Officials from the School Education Department stated the matter is under consideration and that the agencies have already been instructed to renew the contracts. “No one will lose their job. The department has already spoken with the agencies, and all the computer teachers’ jobs are now secure,” an official said.
