School strike in hills today

Darjeeling, May 22,TT: The Gorkha Primary Teachers’ Organisation has called for the closure of all educational institutions, including ICSE schools, across the hills tomorrow to press for the fulfilment of a number of demands, foremost of which is the appointment of 4,000 teachers.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-affiliated organisation had earlier called for a two-day strike at educational institutions on May 23 and 24. But the GPTO decided to make it a one-day shutdown following a meeting between Morcha and association leaders.

The GPTO has kept colleges outside the purview of the strike.

“We have decided to call a strike at educational institutions, including higher secondary and private institutions. However, the strike has been called only for a day. The decision has been taken after consulting the leaders of the Morcha,” said Benedict Gurung, the president of the GPTO.

Apart from the 11-point charter of demands, the GPTO also wants the transfer of P.T. Sherpa, the educational secretary of the DGHC. The association says “nothing (with regard to their demands) is going to move forward” as long as Sherpa remains as the education secretary.

“We waited till May 20 but we have received no assurances from the council till date on our demands,” said Gurung.

The GPTO had called a three-day strike at primary schools starting from May 17 to press for the fulfilment of demands. Besides the appointment of 4,000 primary school teachers across the hills, the GPTO has placed 10 other demands also. The formation of a District Primary School Council in place of District School Board as in other districts and establishment of a district project office for the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan are some of the demands

It is learnt that the Morcha leadership has impressed upon the primary school teachers that they should restrict the educational strike to only a day.

“The Morcha leaders will meet the DGHC administrator tomorrow. Depending on the outcome of the meeting tomorrow, we will decide on the fate of our pre-announced agitation,” said Gurung.

The GPTO had earlier announced the closure of all government offices and educational institutions, including colleges, on May 26 followed by a rally and public meeting on May 30. The teachers have also threatened to call a 24 hour-general strike on May 31 and an indefinite hunger strike from June 1.