TRAINEE TEACHERS ON WARPATH

Novel protest by trainee teachers

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 26: The members of the All Bengal Primary Teachers Trainee Association (ABPTTA) organised a sit-in demonstration in front of the office of the District Primary School Council (DPSC) in Cooch Behar today. They brought empty utensils and rugs with them as a mark of protest against the apathy shown to them in meeting their demands. They shouted slogans condemning the school education department that allegedly did nothing to untie the knots to help the unemployed trained youths.

 

ABPTTA president Mr Bhajan Barman announced that they would start a similar sit-in agitation in front of the DPSC office from Monday till fulfilment of their demands. It may be an indefinite hunger strike, he hinted. He alleged that the political parties including Trinamul Congress have expressed their sympathy with the suffering trainee teachers but all those were made as gimmicks only.

 

ABPTTA leader Mr Sanjay Barman said they took training in Primary Teachers Training Institutes (PTTIs) with an aim to get jobs in primary schools but they were left hopeless. Now, a better future is a mere dream to them. "We decided to stay for an indefinite period in front of the DPSC office with our empty utensils and blankets from Monday. The authorities should supply the required food to us otherwise we will have to go on fasting. We are not in a mood to lift our agitation till receiving of a specific assurance of employment", he said. []

 

PHOTO : At the sit-in of unemployed trainee teachers in front of the DPSC office. In Cooch Behar on Friday. – DB.