“Let Us Teach” Movement Begins: Rajasthan Teachers Protest Against Non-Educational Duties

Banswara-  The Rajasthan Shikshan Sangh (Siyaram) has launched the "Hamein Padhane Do" (Let Us Teach) movement, escalating demands for the withdrawal of non-educational duties and the restoration of summer vacation schedules. A key meeting was held at the sub-divisional headquarters under the leadership Nanuram Damor and Mahipal Bhuta.

The meeting commenced with a ceremonial garlanding of a portrait of Mother India, followed by a collective rendition of 'Vande Mataram'.

Addressing the gathering, speakers condemned the government’s decision to deploy female personnel for census duties during extreme heat and adverse geographical conditions, calling it “unjust and completely impractical.”

The union has issued an ultimatum and announced a phased agitation program:

• April 20: If demands are not met, a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister will be submitted to the District Collector at the district level.

• Summer Vacation Revision: The government has been urged to immediately withdraw the "impractical" decision, amend the academic calendar, and schedule summer vacation from May 16 to June 30. Teachers also demand the restoration of a principal’s authority to grant 2 days of leave, as per previous norms.

• May 18 Mega Rally: If the government fails to comply, a massive teacher’s rally and demonstration will be held in Ramganj Mandi, the assembly constituency of the State Education Minister.

Senior leader Shripal Jain stated, “It is a matter of shame for a nationalist party and government that teachers are forced to take to the streets to protest.”

Nanuram Damor warned the Rajasthan government, saying, “Teachers want to teach in schools. They must be freed from non-educational tasks like census, livestock census, and various surveys. Due to these duties, enrollment in government schools has dropped drastically.”

Devilal Kharadi pointed out the disparity between the government's words and actions. “The election manifesto promised a transparent transfer policy, but currently, a 'desire-based' system is being followed, reducing teachers to bonded laborers,” he alleged.

Badan Lal Damor, Sub-branch President, announced that the "Hamein Padhane Do" movement would soon reach every village. He suggested that census and BLO work could be assigned to unemployed youth on an honorarium basis. He further warned, “If the duty of single women teachers is not cancelled during the summer vacation, the movement will be intensified.”

The meeting was attended by a large number of office bearers and workers, including Devilal Kharadi, Shripal Jain, Jaykumar Trivedi, Chetan Bhagora, Chhagan Masār, Bheru Dodiyar, Daya Lal Yadav, Hiralal Katara, Arun Vyas, Jitendra Pargi, Hitesh Ninama, Prabhu Lal Kharadi, Mayur Padiyar, Gajendra Kumar Vyas, Ramesh Prajapat, Parvat Singh, Gangji Damor, Jeevat Ram Katra, Harish Charpota, Sachin Jain, Khemchand Patidar, Manisha Ameṭa, Reena Charpota, and Smt. Pragya.