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Time of India

Teachers demanding salary hike impart lessons on protest site

1 2 G uwahati: An unusual scenario unfolded in the city as about 50 children, all between 6 and 14 years of age, were seen attending lessons in the middle of a protest grounds in Chachal. For the last 20 days, teachers under the banner of Jyoti Kendra Siksha Karmi Sanstha (Assam) have been on a hunger strike, pressing for their rights. Coming from various districts of Assam, they say they are part of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan — India's flagship programme aimed at achieving universal elementary education. Since 2003, these teachers have been working with children from marginalised backgrounds, including school dropouts and those who are survivors of sexual violence or child labour victims. "We have been protesting since the end of July. We work under the scheme with a salary of just Rs 6,500. We have been teaching these children for many years, yet despite multiple meetings with the education department, our concerns remain unresolved. We want financial security for teachers above 60 years and consolidated salary that would allow us to support our families," Munmun Chetia, the president of the organisation, said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo According to the teachers, these students had been on vacation, but when classes resumed in Aug, they returned to find the centres and schools empty, as the teachers were away protesting. In search of their teachers, the students eventually made their way to the protest site. "These students, all from Guwahati, have shown the determination to carry on with their education, regardless of the circumstances. Even when we requested them not to visit the protest site, they refused to stay away, insisting that they did not want to fall behind in their studies," Chetia added. Their guardians, equally committed to their children's learning, urged us to hold regular classes despite the ongoing agitation. Many of them personally assured us that the children would be present every day from 7.30 am, ready with their books and notebooks." She also said that these students have said that they would come regularly to attend classes, just like the normal school routine. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.