Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): The Special Education Teachers Association (SETAN) has sought government’s intervention and sensible solution to the alleged Inclusive Education for the Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scam which came to light after Right to Information (RTI) reply obtained from the Vigilance Commission.
“In light to the news article ‘VC files charge sheet in IEDSS Scam,’ the Special Education Teachers Association (SETAN) felt the need to throw some light on the present status of the scheme and the sorry state of the teachers (special education teachers) that needs intervention and solution,” a press release received from the SETAM president on Saturday stated.
The IEDSS scheme being put under suspension owing to the misappropriation, the association said failure on part of the government will result in complete stoppage of the scheme which will be a grave injustice to all the differently abled students of Nagaland.
Stating that the status of the Special Education Teachers (SET) remains terminated, the SETAM said that ‘the department has wrongfully victimized the teachers for the fault of the erring officials by serving termination orders to all of the genuine 360 teachers on August of 2016 with six months’ salary still pending.’
The association stated that each teachers has given five years in job investing their prime time and most of the SETs are now over-aged and many more on the verge of being over-aged.
It asserted that the teachers could have been completed basic training (6 months course) from RCI recognized institutions outside Nagaland, if the department has executed its promise to provide the requisite training.
The SETAM also expressed its concern for the future of hundreds of teachers and thousands of children with special needs who have been sidelined and played with by the department and government.
The association alleged that it is unlawful and illegal on the part of department to terminate the SET as long as the scheme exists as the appointment order clearly states that the post is co-terminus with the scheme/project.
SETAN have staged agitation, knocked many doors, and met concerned minister many a times in the past yet, it stated that no help from any corner for the aggrieved teachers were heeded.
The association further expressed hope in the new government, in the new concerned minister that justice will be done to them.