Port Blair, Dec 12: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, the State President of BJP in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has submitted a formal request to theLt. Governor and the Chief Secretary of the A & N Administration, urging them to consider the regularization of 94 Samgra Shiksha Contract Teachers (SSCTs) working under the Directorate of Education.
The letter highlighted the dedicated service of these teachers, who have contributed more than ten years of continuous service to the Department of Education in various remote and challenging islands within the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. “The SSCTs were appointed through a rigorous selection process conducted by the Department of Education, and despite being described as contractual workers, they have been performing duties equivalent to PGT/GTT and PST positions,” he added.
The plea by Mr. Ajoy Bairagi emphasized the positive steps taken by the A & N Administration in 2003 to regularize contract teachers, where more than 150 contract teachers were given permanent appointments. Additionally, five contract teachers were regularized in 2018, following a judicial pronouncement.
The letter mentioned that the SSCTs have approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which, in its judgement, admitted the genuineness of their demand and directed the administration to consider their application within three months.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi urged the administration to create a special regularization plan, similar to previous instances, and regularize the SSCTs as PGT/GTT and PST positions under the Education Department. He emphasized the extensive dedication of these teachers, who have worked tirelessly for the welfare of poor children in remote areas, especially during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Tsunami disasters.
The State President of BJP believed that regularizing their employment status would not only recognize their dedication but also enhance the overall quality of education in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The letter cited examples from other states like Punjab, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir, where contractual teachers were regularized against existing and vacant regular positions.
In conclusion, Mr. Ajoy Bairagi appealed to the Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary to consider the dedicated services of the SSCTs and recommends their inclusion in the recent vacancy positions published by the Education Department on December 8, 2023.
