PANJIM: The striking contract teachers of Goa Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) temporarily withdrew their week-long protest on the eve of Diwali, after the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant personally met them with the official order hiking their monthly remuneration from Rs 16,000 to Rs 25,000.
The contract teachers have been on indefinite strike at Azad Maidan since last eight days demanding hike in monthly salary as well as regularisation of services.
Sawant on Wednesday called on the striking teachers at Azad Maidan with the order copy, issued on October 29, by State Project Director SSA, with regards to increase in salary.
As per the order, the part time instructors salary has been increased from Rs 16,125 to Rs 22,000 for the year 2020-21, that is from June 4, 2020 to April 30, 2021 and a further increase to Rs 25,000 from June 21, onwards.
“The arrears will be calculated and paid accordingly,” the order stated.
Sawant said that his government is sensitive towards the teaching community and hence, as per law, the increment was given. “No other government has given such a high raise. Despite that, you (teachers) were seen protesting for no reason.” he said adding “regularisation into service cannot be done at this stage as it needs some amendments.”
The Chief Minister also blamed teachers for misguiding the public with support from opposition parties. “You (teachers) made this political issue…many political parties came here and instigated you…even some national leaders and it became national news…they tried to instigate you…one needs to understanding that things don’t take shape overnight ,” he said.
On the request of the Chief Minister, the teachers accepted the order and agreed to have further discussion on the issue post Diwali. They also temporarily suspended their strike.
“Since the Chief Minister himself came here and gave us the order copy, we accept it and withdraw our strike for now,” teachers said adding “we will hold discussion with CM regards to service regularisation and decide on future course of action accordingly. “
