Shortage of teachers in schools sparks protests across Kumaon

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 21

The Kumaon region today witnessed protests over an acute shortage of teachers in schools and colleges.

Residents of Salla Chingri village on the border with Nepal blocked the Pithoragarh-Tanakpur highway for more than one hour today demanding the recruitment of teachers in the recently upgraded intermediate college.

Pithoragarh SDM Anurag Arya said police force was sent to the spot to disperse the protesters.

Earlier, the protesters alleged that the government was meting out step-motherly treatment to the remote areas of the district. They said drop-out rate in schools in their area had witnessed a sharp increase. “We were forced to block the highway as despite our repeated requests for the appointment of teachers, no step has been taken so far,” said Sobhi Chand, who led the protest.

Meanwhile, villagers from Bageshwar also launched a relay fast demanding the construction of the college building in the area and the appointment of teachers. “If our demands are not accepted within 15 days, we will intensify out agitation,” said Bhagwan Singh Bhandari, a protester.

Students of Postgraduate College in Champawat also staged a protest on the college campus demanding appointment of lecturers. Manoj Taragi, a student leader, said, “The shortage of teachers is a perennial problem in the college.”