Panchkula: Vocational teachers’ hunger strike continues, 10 admitted to hospital

Panchkula: Ten vocational teachers, who were on an indefinite hunger strike five days ago, have fallen ill and have been admitted to the Government Civil Hospital in Sector 6. The teachers are adamant on their demands of job regularisation and salary hike. The 78th Independence Day was being celebrated across the state, but the protesting teachers continued with their strike. On Wednesday, three teachers were admitted to the government hospital after complaining of health issues. Four more teachers were admitted on Thursday.

Union president Anoop Dhillon said on Friday that they will continue their protest till their demands are met. “We have started the hunger strike after holding several meetings with state government representatives. We were on strike since July 24. So far, 10 teachers have been hospitalised, but we have decided to continue with the strike,” he said. The vocational teachers teach 18 skill subjects including tourism, IT, security, physical education, media, fashion, electrician to students of classes 9 to 12 and are paid a salary of around Rs 33,000 per month.

According to union leaders, the state appointed vocational teachers on the same criteria that were applicable for 157 government teachers enrolled under the education department and they are paid a salary of around Rs 57,000 per month. But the government appointed 2,013 vocational teachers on contract basis under various companies. The contracts of these companies have expired but they have not been enrolled under the education department.