Resolution adopted in the Annual General Body Meeting of SATB

Resolution  adopted in the General Body Meeting of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association  held on 12^th January, 2013

          The Annual General Body meeting of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association  held on 12^th January, 2013  at Port Blair  observes with  concern and anguish that  the authorities in the Education Department  are trying to  enhance the working hours of  teachers  in the guise of   implementation of Right of  Children to  Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009.  The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association has already  pointed out that the  geographical condition in Andaman and Nicobar Islands coupled with other unfavourable  situation prevailing in these islands  will not be  conducive for  enhancement of working hours of teachers and had further  requested the  A & N Administration to  take  up this issue with the Govt. of India  to exempt these  far-flung and  scattered islands  from the enhanced working hours  as provided under the  Right  of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The General Body Meeting further notes that no other State/UT has implemented the enhanced working hours for teachers. The meeting further notes that the authorities in the Administration are implementing this historic legislation without the participation or involvement of stakeholders including the Service Associations functioning among the teachers.   Most of the schools in the islands do not have sufficient toilets, proper drinking water facilities, bench, desk,   buildings, play ground, labs, etc.   In a number of schools, the student-teacher ratio is more than what is provided in the Right to Education Act. 

          The General Body Meeting of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, therefore, resolved to urge upon the authorities in the A & N Administration to approach the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India to exempt these islands from the enhanced working hours provided under the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as a special case. The meeting further urges upon the Administration  not to increase the  working hours of teachers till a  decision is  taken by  the Govt. of India  on such a request from the A & N Administration  and till  such time other States/UTs enhance the working hours of teachers.  The meeting further resolved to decide that in case the authorities go ahead with its decision to increase the working hours of teachers, massive agitation of teachers will be organized in the islands jointly with other organizations.