In protest against the order issued by the District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, which made it mandatory for teachers to get ‘attendance certificates’ before their salary is released, the teachers across the district observed a pen down strike on Wednesday.
Pertinently, on June 14, the DDC Kishtwar, Angrez SinghRana, issued an order, wherein it was stated that all teachers need to get an’attendance certificate’ duly signed by the local Sarpanch and ten parents ofthe school they have been posted in before their salary is released.
On Tuesday, June 25, after the teachers demanded the orderto be revoked and threatened to go on mass leave, the DDC issued another order,wherein it was stated that ‘no work would result in no pay’.
Tuesday’s order evoked sharp response from the teachingcommunity, who attended school but abstained from work on Wednesday.
The teachers also shared pictures of their pens on the tableon social media, in order to showcase their resentment.
They threatened to go on mass leave and launch an indefinitestrike, if the order is not revoked.
Meanwhile, the district administration conducted surprisechecks at several schools to check the attendance of teachers.
While talking to media persons, the President of Teachers’Association, Tanvir Ahmad Malik, said, “We aren’t averse to any governmentorder which promotes educational standards and regularity in schools, butmaking teachers subservient to any uncalled authority is both insulting andderogatory.”
He requested the administration to revoke the order toprevent further escalation.