Nearly six months after the state left over 17,000 night school students in the lurch when it decided to ban teachers from doing double-shifts, a new ruling by the government has once again put these students' future at stake
A night school class in session. File pic
Nearly six months after the state left over 17,000 night school students in the lurch when it decided to ban teachers from doing double-shifts, a new ruling by the government has once again put these students' future at stake.
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Last year, the government had banned teachers from doing night shifts after working in day schools, and had assured to provide new teachers for these schools soon. However, with the board examinations fast approaching, and zero arrangements being made, many of the old teachers, who realised the gravity of issue, came back to teach these students without any pay. Now, the government has issued a new notice asking night schools to provide names of such teachers, who violated the ban.
The move has sparked major outrage within the education circle with several teachers arguing that the state has no right to issue such notices when teachers were selflessly coming forward to help these students. "Most students have already filled forms to appear for the board examination, but how can they appear without being prepared? Why should they suffer because of the government's policies," said Navnath Jadkar, a teacher at Shrikrishna Night High School in Chembur.
Meenal Vangal, trustee of Utkarsha Night High School, Worli, who has filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court against the resolution, said, "After we filed a PIL in September last year, the government did send a few teachers. But, surprisingly, where maths teachers were needed, a languages teacher was sent. They need to act soon."
BB Chavan, deputy director of education, was unavailable for comment.
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