KOCHI: Alleging moves by the government to scuttle efforts to bolster the state’s general education sector, several teachers under the banner of the Federation of Higher Secondary Teachers’ Association (FHSTA) on Wednesday stayed away from valuation camps state-wide.
Radhakrishnan M, Higher Secondary School Teachers’ Association president, said more than 30 teachers took part in the protest march held as part of the agitation here. “The are very few valuation centres in the district. However, over five teachers from each camp joined in the protest,” he said.
The FHSTA office-bearers said if indeed the government wants to boost the general education system’s quality and efficiency, instead of merging the higher secondary with the high school sector steps should be initiated to bolster both the sections independently.
“ But the government has been pressing forward with the merger plans. It has set up a commission headed by M A Khader with this aim. The sole outcome of this is the likely undoing of both the higher secondary and the high school sections,” they said.
The teachers believe the move will only benefit the CBSE and unaided schools. “People will lose confidence in the government schools and this will lead to a division fall. Once division fall happens, teachers will no longer have job security. Hence, the government should refrain from muddying up the already dismal scenario,” said Radhakrishnan.