Teachers’ federation plans to stage protests on April 18

The Andhra Pradesh Teachers Federation (APTF) announced on Friday that the teachers would stage dharnas at all the district headquarters on April 18 to press for the resolution of issues in the education sector and to achieve their legitimate financial demands.

At a meeting held in Vijayawada, the federation’s State president Chennupati Manjula urged the government to constitute the 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC) with effect from July 2023 and announce a 30% interim relief.

Hits out at govt.

She criticised the government’s claim on release of ₹7,034 crore towards pending dues such as Provident Fund, A.P. Government Life Insurance (APGLI) and other benefits for teachers and headmasters who retired recently, calling it unrealistic. She also demanded immediate clearance of all pending dues, including surrender leave, 11th PRC arrears and DA, and urged the government to announce the four pending DA installments without delay.

The federation’s State general secretary K. Basava Linga Rao alleged that “the government’s anti-education policies have led to the emergence of around 12,000 single-teacher schools across the state.” He demanded that at least two teachers be appointed in every primary school and also called for the appointment of headmasters and Physical Education Teachers in every high school, irrespective of student strength.

He also wanted the government to withdraw the new experimental system of running classes from 1st to 10th grade in high schools and urged the authorities to revert to the previous system of conducting classes 1 to 5 in primary schools and 6 to 10 in high schools. He emphasised that vacancies arising due to retirements between June and March during the current academic year should be filled through promotions to avoid disruption to students.

Mr. Rao said if the government fails to address these demands, the federation will actively participate in the larger agitation programmes proposed to be undertaken under the banner of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Teachers’ Organisations (FAPTO).

APTF State vice-presidents K. Ashok, T. Trinadh, M. Anita, E.V. Rama Rao, P. Venkateswarlu, State secretaries M. Srinivasa Rao and B. Reddidora, former State general secretary P. Panduranga Vara Prasada Rao and others participated in the meeting.