Samaikyandhra Upadhyaya Porata Samithi, Andhra Pradesh, a conglomeration of 30-odd teacher associations from 13 districts across Seemandhra region, will join the ongoing anti-Telangana agitation from Wednesday midnight (August 21).
A decision to this effect was taken at a steering committee meeting of the Samithi which met in the city on Sunday.
“Tomorrow, we will give strike notice on the Chief Secretary, Hyderabad, and from Wednesday midnight, we will join the struggle against division of the State being spearheaded by the APNGOs,” said M. Kamalakar, Samithi convener at a press meet.
30 associations come together
Replying to a query on delay in the decision to join the strike, Mr. Kamalakar said talks were on with representatives of 30 associations from across the State. All of them had to be brought on to a common platform before declaring the strike, he said.
Referring to the academic loss to students on account of the proposed strike by teachers, he said it was a fight mainly for future of the student community in the Seemandhra region. “If bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is allowed, even well educated students of this region will be deprived of jobs. Every struggle entails some advantages and disadvantages. We must be ready to make certain sacrifices to gain in the long run,” he said.
He, however, sought to clarify that keeping in view the academic future of the 10th students, the teachers had come to an understanding that they would make up for the lost time by conducting extra classes during holidays.
He said the anti-Telangana stir had gained momentum with people being able to see through the UPA game plan to disintegrate Andhra Pradesh for political gains.
Every section, be it political parties, voluntary organsations, trade and commerce sectors, government-run organisations such as the APSRTC, students and individuals from various walks of life, had become part of the Samaikyandhra agitation.
Mr. Kamalakar said nearly three lakh teachers would stay off duties which would mean complete collapse of academic activities from classes 1 to 10 in government schools, in polytechnic colleges and EAMCET counselling.
Teacher MLCs G. Srinivasulu Naidu and B. Pullaiah, the Samiti’s Nellore district convener S. Nagendra Kumar, B. Ed Teachers’ Association State general secretary D.V. Swamy Reddy and others participated.
