Jaipur: Around 5,000 Grade-III teachers from across Rajasthan protested at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur Wednesday, demanding that the state restart transfers that have been on hold for eight years. In a memorandum to chief minister, the teachers said many with genuine transfer needs are suffering, affecting morale across the cadre.On Wednesday evening, power and water supply for Shaheed Smarak was disconnected by police as teachers’ sit-in protest continued beyond permitted hours. Teachers said that they will not go until their demands are met. A delegation of teachers also met the education minister Madan Dilawar, but talks remained inconclusive.
Grade-III teachers from across Rajasthan protested at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur
Grade-III teachers from across Rajasthan protested at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur
The teachers called for the immediate commencement of transfers, transparency in the deputation policy, and the resolution of long-pending demands. Protesters warned that if govt did not take a positive decision soon, the agitation would be expanded across the entire state.Sunil Mahla, state convener of the Grade-III Teachers’ Struggle Committee, said, “The Rajasthan govt is reneging on its election promises. The govt came to power promising to transfer Grade III teachers within 100 days; however, more than two years have passed, and the govt has yet to address the teachers’ concerns.”“Till today, we were merely demanding transfers, but now we are demanding the resignation of education minister Madan Dilawar. Our sit-in protest will continue until the govt fulfills our demands,” added Mahla.In an open letter to chief minister, the Grade-III teachers alleged discriminatory behaviour against them within the education department as their transfer requests are ignored, but transfers of other categories have taken place multiple times.During the protest, teachers said that being constantly separated from their families was affecting their mental health and work efficiency. Teachers demanded that govt lift the long-standing ban on the transfer of Grade-III teachers and implement a clear, transparent, and time-bound transfer process.Meanwhile, a delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaishik Mahasangh Rajasthan (School Education) met the additional chief secretary for education on Wednesday, where they were assured of a speedy resolution of various demands, including the transfer and promotion of Grade III teachers.
