Over 100 teachers took to the streets of Pune today, staging a protest against the delayed appointments to vacant teaching positions in the city. The protestors, who had completed the selection process months ago, expressed their disillusionment over the prolonged wait for their official appointments.
The teachers held placards and banners before the education department office, making their demands clear to the authorities. The demonstrators voiced their concerns over the over 1,000 vacancies in various schools nationwide, which remain unfilled despite completing all necessary formalities.
As per ABP Live reports, the appointment delay has caused financial strain for the affected teachers and disrupted the functioning of schools grappling with a staff shortage. The teachers emphasised that the delays directly impact the quality of education provided to students, with many classrooms operating without adequate teaching personnel.
An official from the education department responded to the protests by stating that the issue is currently sub-judice, with the matter being actively monitored by the courts. The official assured us that the department would await the legal resolution of the case before moving forward with the appointments.
Despite these assurances, the teachers remain sceptical about the reasons behind the delay, suspecting bureaucratic inefficiencies or other undisclosed issues as the root cause. "We are being kept in the dark about why our appointments are being delayed," one teacher remarked. "The authorities owe us transparency and action."
The next hearing on the case is scheduled for August 25, and the protesting teachers are hopeful for a favourable verdict that will finally see them appointed to their positions. Until then, they have vowed to continue their protests, standing firm in their demand for justice and resolving the ongoing issue.
As the protest continues, the situation highlights the broader challenges educators face in the state, where administrative delays and legal battles often impede the timely appointment of qualified teachers, ultimately affecting the education system and students' learning experiences.