Teachers Accuse The Rajasthan Government Of Imposing ‘Undeclared Emergency’

In a shocking order, the Education Department in Rajasthan has directed the government teachers who joined services after December 13, 2013, to register their mandatory presence in a mass Teachers’ Day event to be held in Amrudon-ka-bagh in Jaipur on September 5. Interestingly, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia assumed the office on December 13, 2013. 

The directive issued by the district education officer in Bharatpur stated, “All teachers who were newly appointed after December 13, 2013, have to compulsorily participate in the celebration,”. The order also directed the teachers to not wear any black cloth or shoes to avoid any protest during the event.

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The order also relieved the invited teachers from their duties from September 1, which will result in undeclared leave in the schools for four days across the state. Enraged by the order, teachers said they are being projected as the beneficiaries of the government scheme but they were selected for the posts after a rigorous process of examinations. They also alleged that the government is more interested in its promotion than awarding the meritorious teachers as per tradition. The teachers also said such threats or directives to not wear black clothes or shoes is symptomatic of an "undeclared emergency".

In order to ensure the success of the mega event, the government also released funds to disburse as travel allowance among the teachers. Talking to NewsClick, Mahavir Sihag, President of Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh said that the order clearly reflects that the government has no confidence in teachers. He said, "The Teachers' Day used to be a day when they were honoured for their services. But the Raje government is humiliating us by issuing such orders.."

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He added, “A teacher is not honoured by mere felicitation. The working conditions of teachers have worsened under this government. The government has closed down 20,000 schools and forced 80,000 teachers out of job. This has resulted in more working hours for us. You know it very well that teaching is not mechanical work. If a teacher is compelled to teach for eight hours, it adversely affects the quality of teaching in schools. We are losing our social reputation because when students are not studying in the schools, parents hold us responsible. Why should teachers bear the brunt of parents, when it is the government which is failing?” 

He added that despite the Modi government promoting the Swach Bharat Scheme, the conditions of the schools simply exposes the bitter truth. He said, "Many schools in Rajasthan do not have toilets. If they have toilets, the water is missing. There is no provision for any funds so that the toilets can be cleaned. If they need to be sanitised, the teachers or students must take up the responsibility. Thus, millions of children are deprived of the hygienic toilets that they deserve."

Commenting on the order, Sihag said the Rajasthan is the biggest state in India and compelling teachers to travel from remote corners of the state is grossly inhuman. He said, “The invitee teachers include young women and mothers. If you are living in Banswara, it will take 12 hours to reach Jaipur. Which parent will allow young female members to come to the capital. Similar problem is being faced by the mothers. Where will they put their children?”'

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