Partha hits out at teachers taking to streets instead of attending classes

Kolkata: The state Education department has decided to take a strong stand against a section of teachers who are often taking to the streets without attending classes properly.

"If it is found that a teacher is not attending classes for staging any protest, then it will be considered as a leave and it will not be adjusted with the total number of holidays he/she is entitled to. The department will be bringing a notification with terms and conditions after examining the legal aspects involved. The pattern will be the same as followed by the government when somebody takes leave on a day of strike called by other political parties," state Education minister Partha Chatterjee said on Monday.

The minister expressed his concern that the students are being deprived of proper education with the teachers resorting to frequent agitation.

Chatterjee reiterated that a section of teachers, particularly from the primary section, have made it a practice to stage agitation at the drop of a hat without sitting for talks with the state government to solve their issues.

The state government has repeatedly assured the teachers that their demands are being looked into but they have refused to pay heed to the same.

The state government will hold a meeting with the primary teachers shortly, where the government will announce its stand regarding the issue.

The minister held a meeting with all the teachers' organisations and noted educationists in the state at Bikash Bhavan, to deliberate upon the draft of the National Education Policy of the Centre.

"The Centre is often instructing the vice-chancellors to include certain things in the curriculum, keeping us in the dark. The college and university authorities have been asked to keep us informed of such instructions and not to implement anything without consulting the Higher Education department," he added.