NGOs' Association strongly opposes the increase in the working hours of teachers

PRESS NOTE

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers' Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, strongly opposes the decision taken by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to increase the working hours of teachers working in the schools of Andaman & Nicobar Islands from 01st April, 2011 in the guise of implementation of Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act 2009. The decision has been taken by the Administration without consulting the service Associations functioning among the teachers. This Association has been requesting the Administration and the Education Department to take the views of service Associations in this regard, but the same has not been done by the Administration. Instead, the decision has been imposed on the teachers without providing even the basic facilities like toilet, safe drinking water, desks and benches etc., in the school. The Administration has not given sufficient time to the teachers to prepare themselves mentally to perform additional hours of duty. The Administration has not taken any step to ensure transport facilities for the teachers working in the rural areas. The Association calls upon the Andaman Nicobar Administration to reconsider its decision to enhance the working hours of the teachers till such a time the whole issues involved in the Right to Education Act are discussed with the service Associations and others.

Sd/-

(D.Ayyappan)

General Secretary