Nearly 2,500 computer teachers in the state will strike work on Monday as a mark of protest against the government for “outsourcing” works on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) scheme to private contractors.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Schools/Colleges Computer Teachers’ Association, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), S Varalakshmi threatened to stage an indefinite protest from September 12 if the government does not respond. “The ICT scheme has been outsourced to Educomp Solutions and we work for meagre salaries on contract. The government has decided to impart computer training in different phases. Why outsource it when there are qualified teachers here?” questioned S Varalakshmi.
The ICT Schools project, currently in phase three, is managed by the Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT), which has roped in private education solution providers for its implementation. And these computer teachers are taken on contract by the private firms. Varalakshmi, says the teachers are currently paid Rs 3,332 per month. She alleged that there was discrepancy in the frequency of payments. “We are demanding a raise of Rs 10,000,” she said. The Association further demanded that ICT should be made a regular subject in schools so that teachers will be guaranteed of full-time employment.
Comments
0 comment