A total of 50 Block Resource Teachers (BRTs) of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), who were transferred to Madurai en masse on Saturday without any prior intimation and proper order, laid siege to the office of Chief Educational Officer (SSA) here on Saturday. The protesting teachers, including 44 women, said they were compelled to join duty in Madurai on Saturday itself following oral instructions from the CEO (SSA) though they had not received any prior intimation in this connection.
“When we were transferred to various places within Tuticorin district three months ago, we were informed that we would not be shifted for the next three years. But, we are now being compelled to join duty in Madurai,” said one of the women teachers. “As we refuse to budge, we are threatened of losing the job permanently,” she said.
Organiser of Tuticorin District Teacher Associations’ Confederation A. Sargunaraj said the BRTs, who were not allowed to sign in attendance register, had been told that they, on joining duty in Madurai, would be deputed back to Tuticorin, so that they would not get affected by this transfer.
“This is a blatant lie... We’re getting reports that attempts are being made to transfer people from some other places to Tuticorin to fill these vacancies,” said Mr Sargunaraj. The agitation by the transferred BRTs continued beyond 6 p.m.
CEO (SSA) Rathinam said he was just trying to execute the transfer order from his higher-ups in Chennai and refused to give any further information in this regard.
