UP Teachers Call for Statewide Protest on July 31 Against Pension, Online Presence, and Ad-Hoc Matters

Uttar Pradesh Secondary Teachers' Union (Pandey Group) has announced a statewide sit-in at all District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) offices on July 31, with the Teachers' Association expressing strong resistance towards some unresolved matters concerning teachers, including the controversial online attendance system and exclusion from pensions.

The resolution was taken at the State Council meeting of the Union which took place at the Common Hall in Darulshafa B Block with State President Jitendra Patel in chair and Ashish Kumar Singh conducting the meeting. The union reiterated that even after repeated requests, the government has not resolved long-standing demands, leading to teachers going on the streets.

One of the main points of disagreement is excluding almost 2,000 teachers, who were appointed prior to March 28, 2005, from the old pension scheme, which the union insists should be reinstated. Union leaders also showed serious concern regarding the non-regularization of more than 2,300 ad-hoc teachers, many of whom have worked in the education sector for close to three decades without secure positions.

To this unrest, the union added its criticism of the government for withholding payments of these ad-hoc teachers for eight months, referring to it as plain harassment. The non-publication of the offline transfer list and the failure of teachers included in the online transfer list to take up their new posts have further contributed to discontent.

The union also opposed the system of online attendance, terming it as unrealistic and intrusive, and called for its immediate reversal, contending that it distracts classroom concentration and places bureaucratic burden on teaching staff.

Participation of teachers from all districts is likely in the July 31 protest as the union is set to escalate its battle for a return of dignity, stability, and fairness in the state's education system.