UP ‘Shiksha Mitra’ Want Equal Pay for Equal Work; Sec 144 Imposed

Thousands of ‘Shiksha Mitra’ from different parts in UP have collated in Lucknow to protest the SC decision.

Thousands of ‘Shiksha Mitra’ have camped in Lucknow demanding equal pay for equal work. As the Laxman Mela Ground swells with ‘Shiksha Mitra’ coming in from different districts of the state, section 144 has been imposed on the city.

After the decision of the Supreme Court to cancel their appointment by the education department in Uttar Pradesh, the affected ‘Shiksha Mitra’ have once again adopted an aggressive stance.

In a significant judgment, on 26 July the Supreme Court upheld the Allahabad High Court’s decision to cancel the appointment of 1,72,000 ‘Shiksha Mitra’ as Assistant Teachers by the previous SP government.

The education department had earlier sent a proposal to talk to ‘Shiksha Mitra’ but they rejected it. They carried out demonstrations at the BSA offices in different districts on 17, 18 and 19 August. Today, they have gathered in Lucknow and are gearing up to protest at Jantar Mantar of New Delhi on 25 August.

‘Shiksha Mitra’ are demanding that the government should bring an ordinance to reinstate them as assistant teachers in the government schools in UP. At the same time, they should be given equal pay for equal work.

In this movement, the following organizations are supporting the thousands of affected ‘Shiksha Mitra’: Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers Association, Junior High School Teachers Association, Higher Secondary Teachers Association, Staff Teacher Coordination Committee, Indian Farmers Union.

1.38 lakh ‘Shiksha Mitra’, who were elevated to the rank of Assistant Teachers, have been removed. The court has left the decision on the government whether or not they would remain at least ‘Shiksha Mitra’ . On the other hand, the remaining 34 thousand ‘Shiksha Mitra’, who were not adjusted as Assistant Teachers, would remain in office. Pankaj Dube, a ‘Shiksha Mitra’ from Varanasi spoke to The Quint from the protest site in Lucknow.

We respect the Supreme Court but we shall fight for our rights. We have been teaching students as ‘Shiksha Mitra’ for years and this decision has cancelled our appointment. This is unfair.

Pankaj Dube, a ‘Shiksha Mitra’ from Varanasi

Out of 1,72,000 ‘Shiksha Mitra’ only about 22,000 have cleared the TET exam after being accommodated as Assistant Teachers. The same verdict will apply to them. However, when it comes to re-appointment, they will be given weightage.

The bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit also said that a ‘Shiksha Mitra’ will also be given weightage on the basis of experience. If the candidate does not pass the TET in 2 years, they will not be accommodated as an Assistant Teacher. The ‘Shiksha Mitra’ were exempted from age limit for TET entrance examination.

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