In this regard, the endeavour of Ms. Audrey Fernandes (I don’t know her personally, but someday I hope to) needs to be appreciated, for it is no small feat to mobilise thousands of teachers to stand up for their rights. Having said that, let me be quick to add that making a public statement like that does not in the least amount to being communal. For though it is a general practice in India to give a religious, casteist or sexiest tinge to issues and thereby sidetrack the core issues, let this piece be an exception. So, let’s keep religion out from this discussion and concentrate on the exposure of the systemic flaws and the intentional or intentional failings in the scheme of affairs.
Audrey has very distinctively highlighted specifics which involves, denial of child care leave, verbal abuse, undue name calling, mental torture, isolation from fellow colleagues, issuing memos, as also absence of Public Information Officer, sexual harassment in one of the colleges. These serious contentions can’t be brushed aside categorically, but needs to be addressed earnestly and moreover promptly.
If such concerns are ignored, with time they fester and exacerbate triggering unpleasantness and creating hostile work environment. In the given context, how is a teacher supposed to give her best to her students? According to England’s Health and Safety Executive, teaching is the most stressful occupation. If the adrenaline drains a teacher experiences after dealing with challenging classes day in day out does not suffice the high handed attitude of the authority can prove to be the final nail in the coffin.
It would be interesting to get some valuable insights from the Director, Directorate of Higher Education in the context of denial of CCL and other leaves which the college teachers are entitled. While hopefully, Goa State Commission for women will take suo motto cognizance of the offences against the women teachers, optimistically, our very own college teachers association-UGTAG will wake up from its deep slumber and make some noise.
It is indeed ironic that we have innumerable bodies, apart from the innumerable laws and legislations protecting, empowering and endorsing women and her rights. Unfortunately the ground reality is different. The silver lining is that women like Audrey keep the lamp of hope burning, inspite of all odds the urge to move on, the spirit to stand up and the diehard attitude is akin to being ‘marker’ standing up for what’s gone on before and speaking up for what lies ahead.” Well, we need more of such people who stay true, who stay strong and turn out to be blessings to infinite others who are reduced to being mere voiceless clogs in the systemic machines.
And yet I do not give up. I believe in the strength of the intellect and integrity in the hearts of mankind. I believe that we need not settle for being admirable, when being ‘misfit’ is what it takes to truly change the world. Dare to be the misfit, dare to be the salt of the earth.
