DIMAPUR, JULY 13: The Special Education Teachers’ Association of Nagaland (SETAN), a group of contract teachers, have demanded perks “equivalent to normal graduate teacher” besides other benefits, from the government.
Some of the benefits that the organization demanded were for “further extension” to all said teachers from February 2016; “some ample time” to ‘untrained SETs for in-service training.’
The organization issued a representation on Tuesday, addressed to the commissioner and secretary of the School Education department.
The SET teachers claimed that they were one of the “most neglected government employees with no clear policy or sets of standards instructed upon us.”
The memorandum read: “That the Special Education Teachers of Nagaland are one of the most neglected government employees with no clear policy or sets of standards instructed upon us. Since our appointment there has always been perplexity in the implementation and execution of definite work objectives, nonetheless the Special Education Teachers dutifully discharged the responsibility entrusted to us with full commitment which cannot be denied and may be surveyed for proof is necessary.”
“We also feel obligatory (sic) to explain to you why the Special Education Teachers discontinued attending classes after a good number of months. After June 2014 no extension or directives were issued from the authority for further March.”
However, the group explained, the SET teachers “maintained the same zeal as in appointment and worked for almost a year some even more than that without extension or salary.”
The group claimed that “Despite our dedication and commitment we were deprived of our very basic need.” Therefore, the organization asserted, “we could not prolonged the status quo and decided not to attend classes until further notice was received.”
“Who were (sic) the Special Education Teachers of Nagaland? Are we not an Indigenous Naga educated, why must we be treated in this kind of unbecoming ways? What mistake did we commit to undergo so much hardships, is our life no precious to be played with or is it an amusement for,” the memorandum queried.
“We were appointed because there were no indigenous candidates having qualification for special teacher, now when our qualification became obsolete and our prime time is already lost, we’re being given all kinds of reasons to undermine and lay us off, which is a high case of human right violation.”
The group of teachers also sought to assert that “we know that under Human Resource Development (HRD) guidelines.” There were “some pre-requisite criteria of a special teacher and most of us don’t suit in.”
Nonetheless, they stated, “if the government is very serious about HRD rationale why were we appointed in the first place, change of guard in the govt. or ministry can never be an excuse.”
The teachers have ‘invoked’ the recommendation of the task force on the Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS), headed by the then principal director at School Education department.
“…they proposed that a wholesome training be imparted to untrained SETS and their salary be paid as that of graduate teachers as per the guidelines of Rehabilitation Council of India. Despite a constructive recommendation given by High Power Committee and the Task Force, no Implementation was done as such,” the organization stated.
Having placed their arguments, the special education teachers demanded consideration to a number of “points.” The demands were that (given verbatim):
1. No fresh appointment be made until all the in-service SET are absorbed and streamlined.
2. Further Extension of all the SETs be given from February 2016.
3. Some ample time should be given to untrained SETs for in-service training.
4. Salary of the special education teachers be equivalent to normal graduate teacher after training as per the guidelines of the Rehabilitation Council of India.
The group has requested the state government ‘to look into this matter’ and ‘take necessary arrangements’ for the same within 20 days of receiving this memorandum.
