Tamil Nadu Elementary School Teachers' Federation (TESTF) has urged the State government to invite its representatives for talks to set right pay anomalies.
Fulfilment of the shortcomings in pay will motivate teachers of primary and upper primary schools to perform their professional task with commitment, according to speakers at the meeting organised here recently by the Federation's city unit.
The meeting lauded the Chief Minister for making Tamil Nadu a model State by way of introducing trimester for primary and upper primary levels and contemplating to extend the same to secondary level; providing several freebies including books, four sets of uniforms, nutritious food and footwear; and online recruitment of nearly 21,000 teachers.
Introduction of free breakfast scheme will be of immense help for children belonging to economically poor families, one of the speakers said, referring to the successful implementation of the morning breakfast scheme in 25 schools in Tiruchi city with support from school managements and philanthropists.
Participants resolved to take part in the protest meeting called by All India Teachers' Federation at New Delhi on April 4, 2013, in large numbers. The protest would highlight seven point charter of demands including abolition of teacher eligibility test, restoration of old pension scheme and preventing privatisation of education. From Tamil Nadu, 3,000 TESTF members have decided to take part.
The speakers resented the practice of nominating primary and upper primary teachers as booth level officers. School teachers should be spared of the responsibility in the interests of the student community, they emphasised. The TESTF also voiced support for government aided schools that were yet to receive two per cent grant for the years 2007, 2008 and 2011.
The speakers included TESTF City Unit president M. James. District Secretary K. Albertdass, and city unit secretary and State Executive Committee Member S. Neelakandan.
