Gurgaon: Students’ protest ends teachers strike

The teachers had been on strike to protest non-payment of salary

Students of Dev Samaj Vidya Niketan High School, on Monday, protested against a strike by teachers who have shunned classes since October 16 over non-payment of their salary. The issues was resolved after the sub-divisional magistrate’s intervention.

SDM Bharat Bhushan Gogia speaks to students of Dev Samaj Vidya Niketan School in Gurgaon on Monday. (HT PHOTO)

The students resorted to staging a sit-in and shouting slogans outside the school gate after teachers did not take classes on Monday when Diwali holidays ended.

The teachers have not received any remuneration for the past two months and had stopped taking classes on October 16 as a pressure tactic. The school management had assured them that their dues would be cleared before Diwali.

On Monday, students, many of whom are preparing for their board examinations, also called their parents who met SDM (north) Bharat Bhushan Gogia with the aggrieved teachers.

The parents requested the SDM to look into the matter as it was hampering children’s studies.

“The issue (of non-payment of salaries) is a management problem; why should it affect the students? Such issues are not only distracting the students, but also affecting their studies. Our children are suffering as exams are approaching. How can teachers not take classes,” a student’s parent said requesting anonymity.

Gogia instructed the management to ensure such delays in releasing salary do not take place in future.

School manager Sangeeta Sharma confirmed that they have signed cheques on Monday and handed them to teachers. “The salary will be released within two working days,” she said.

Read I Gurgaon: Engineering student jumps to death from 11th floor of Uniworld City building

He also directed the teachers to not discuss official issues with students or involve them in school’s internal politics. He also told the students to concentrate on their studies and to maintain discipline. “I visited the school on Monday morning and have asked the teachers to resume taking classes. I have also asked the students to maintain discipline,” Gogia said.

Talking to Hindustan Times, school’s principal Sharda Sharma said, “It was sad that teachers had to go on strike due to mismanagement. The SDM has demanded documents (from the school) to ensure the authorized person takes responsibility of the school’s functioning and such incidents are not repeated in future.”

Additionally, the SDM has directed the school management to address all queries by parents within three working days.