Schools paralysed as teachers’ strike

SHILLONG, AUG 22: As the two weeks long general strike by the teachers under the aegis of JACATAM kick-started on Monday 4500 schools across the eleven districts of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills in the state were hit hard paralyzing classes and affecting the studies of the student community

The teachers under JACAMTAM are demanding provincialisation of their services from the state government.

The general strike was called to protest against the state government’s delay in fulfilling the teachers’ demand. The strike will continue till September 4.

In Shillong, some of the schools remained closed due to the strike while other schools were open, but the classrooms were found either empty or students just sitting without doing anything.

The school managing committees have not yet come up with alternative arrangement to ensure that the students’ studies are not hampered during the period of agitations by the teachers.

JACATAM had decided to go ahead with its third phase of agitation after the government has failed to invite them for talks.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the schools during the first day of agitation, JACATAM chairman ED Nongsiang said, “Almost all the teachers across the state have actively participated in the strike by not attending schools.”

He also said that the state government’s nonchalant  attitude compelled the teachers to go ahead with the agitation and till today there has been no official communication inviting them for dialogue.