Computer teachers protest over salary

 Members of the Dakshina Kannada unit of Karnataka State Computer Teachers’ Association affiliated to the CITU staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday, flaying the inconsistency in paying their salaries. 

 Addressing a protest rally, Association Honorary President Sunil Kumar Bajal said that as many as 2,500 computer teachers in the State did not get salary of Rs 3,332 for the last four months.  “After the CITU staged a protest in Bangalore, Educom Solutions Company- which had recruited the teachers had agreed to settle the issue within a month.  The State Government had outsourced the computer education in government schools and colleges to a private agency.

However, the assurances have not been fulfilled so far. Teachers have been staging protest over non-payment of salary for the last four months. It is a shame on the part of the government,” Sunil Kumar Bajal said.  “The salary of computer teachers should be increased to Rs 10,000. The salary of four months should be released at the earliest. The officials say that it is between company and teachers and they have nothing to do with it. If the situation continues, then we will gherao District in-Charge Minister C T Ravi,” he warned. 

‘Provide job security’  

Association Secretary Sumathi said that the teachers are facing hardship owing to the non payment of salary.  “We impart computer education in 90 high schools and 37 colleges. However, we do not have job security.  Women teachers should be given maternity leave. The facilities of casual leave and earned leave should be provided. Social security and other welfare programmes should be extended to us,” she said.   The CITU Karnataka State Secretary Vasanth Achar demanded that computer education should be made compulsory in schools and colleges. “The teachers agreement with the company will conclude next year. What will be the fate of the teachers?” he asked. 

 Indefinite stir  

Computer Teachers’ Association District President Asha said “We teach Post Graduation Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA) for students and train the government staff. We work from 9 am to 5 pm. We do not have CLs or any other leave.
 In our appointment letter, our salary is mentioned as Rs 7845. However, we are paid Rs 3,332. A sum of Rs 168 is deducted as Provident Fund. We have PF number, but don’t know the status of PF as we don’t get salary slip. We will stage an indefinite protest from September 11, if our problems are not solved.”