TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The All Goa Secondary School Teachers Association (AGSSTA) Monday began their three-day dharna in Panjim, demanding withdrawal of the extended school timings by half hour, besides other issues which they claimed are pending solutions from the government.
On day one, as many as 65 teachers assembled opposite Customs House and will continue the dharna for the next two days. Sources say that Chief Minister and Education Minister Manohar Parrikar has called AGSSTA for a meeting Tuesday morning to sort out the issues.
The president of AGSSTA said, “We will take a call on the discontinuation or continuation of the dharna only after the Tuesday’s meeting.” AGSSTA has also planned a protest march on September 5, Teachers’ Day, at Azad Maidan, Panjim.
Meanwhile, the Higher Secondary Teachers Association of Goa (HISTAG) has also decided to boycott the Teachers’ Day function organised by the State government and has extended support to All Goa Secondary School Teachers Association (AGSSTA), states a press note issued by HISTAG president Girish Chodankar.
He said, during the last one year the chief minister has not attended to any of the teachers’ pending demands and also refused to meet the HISTAG delegation despite several attempts.
“We are compelled to boycott the teachers’ day function at Panjim,” Chodankar said.
Adding we have requested the government to address one of the many key issues which includes compulsory promotion, as the existing system is faulty.
