Primary school teachers on warpath

TN Elementary Teachers Organisation Joint Action Council (TETO JAC), representing teachers teaching from1 to 8th std, will start a massive agitation shortly if the government didn't consider 5 point charter of demands including withdrawal of Ennum Ezhuthum scheme, said the JAC state high level committee member and TN Thodakkapalli Aasiriyar Koottani state general secretary VS Muthuramasamy.

Heading a demonstration of the TETO JAC in front of the Erode CEO office, he said that the Ennum Ezhuthum scheme was introduced during Corona period when schools were remain closed and students were taught through online and cell phones.

But, after opening of the schools also, the government forced the teachers to follow it and students were forced to study text books, work books record books etc. So, many mediocre students were not able to study and teachers were not able to teach them. Previously, teachers taught them to pronounce numbers and letters. But, the system asked them to write them at first. In this connection, the SCERT itself gave a time schedule to teach the lessons. It couldn't be possible to follow such schedule as only a few students learn the subject easily. But many couldn't learn it. Similarly, there is a difference between the learning capacity of urban and rural students.  Besides, each week, each student's learning capacity should be assessed by the teachers individualy and reports must be prepared. It is also taken away much time of teachers. The teachers have to upload many datas daily in the education management information system (EMIS) including attendance of students, distribution of textbooks, notes, shoes etc, by using an App through their cellphones. In many rural areas, there are no towers. How, the teachers in such areas could upload the datas, he asked. Above all, the government asked to hold school management committee (SMC) meeting every month. But, in many schools, parents were not coming after sacrificing their one day wage. But the HMs were questioned. So, the meeting should be held once in 3 occasions-R-Day, I-Day and Annual Day. So, the administration work was much high for teachers than teaching work. In the 2 teacher schools, there is a quarrel between teacher and HM of the school on who do all management works. Though there are teachers trainers in the cluster resources to centre (CRC), the teachers were sent to train others and undergo training afresh even on holidays. It also hit the teaching work. To add insult to injury, the SCERT unofficially asked the BEd students to inspect the schools and teaching though block, district and chief education officers etc were available to inspect the schools. It also creates much distress among teachers. Now, the state level common question paper for even quarterly exams, affecting the students interest much. Let the government allow us to teach. Previously, we fought for financial benefits. But now we struggle to get time to teach honestly in the schools. If all such drawbacks are not set right, the standard of education would further come down in government schools, affecting poor students who only opt government schools, he worried.