Para teachers being deployed for e-pass duty, union protests

RANCHI: The state para teachers’ association, Jharkhand Ekikrit Para Sikshak Sangharsh Morcha (JEPSSM), has strongly protested the government’s move to deploy para teachers for checking e-passes, that have been introduced to curb movement of private vehicles during lockdown.

As many as 24 teachers have been deputed as magistrates in Barhi sub-division of Hazaribagh for implementation of e-pass norm. The association claimed that out of the 24 teachers, 21 were para teachers. The newly appointed magistrates have been empowered to check e-pass, mask and ensure social distancing in rural markets.

The JEPSSM on Tuesday alleged that para teachers were being “forced” to perform double duties, including holding digital classes for school students and performing Covid-19 or lockdown-related work without any safety and security coverage.

Shashi Kishor, a para teacher at upgraded middle school, Barhidih, said he was deputed at Barhi Chowk for e-pass checking. “My duty hour as magistrate is from 6am to 12 noon. During the time, I have to perform two works simultaneously. We are provided digital content daily and we have to send them to students accordingly. If any student fails to understand the content, we have to take digital classes. So, whenever I get any leisure time during the e-pass checking, I complete my school jobs,” he said.

Barhi circle officer Arvind Toppo said, “Covid-19 is now spreading in rural areas. In a bid to contain the disease, different kinds of teams were created. We are not only monitoring Covid patients but also tracking the people who have symptoms. Obviously, there is paucity of workforce. So, we are taking help of teachers, as they are educated and technically sound. There are several technical works, that can be done by teachers easily.”

He said the teachers were also being engaged in e-pass checking. “They are able to verify e-pass, make people understand its importance and how to generate one,” Toppo said. The state government has made e-pass mandatory for all private vehicles till May 27.

However, JEPSSM member Sanjay Dueby claimed para teachers were also being appointed as magistrates in other districts. “Para teachers are already engaged in Covid care and vaccination centres. They are also being deputed for public distribution system monitoring in Covid period,” he said.

Dubey, however, said they do not object to the double duties. “Our simple demand is insurance coverage, that is also provided to Corona warriors. No benefit is given if any para teacher dies while performing duty. Around 40 para teachers have died so far but government gave them no benefit,” he said.

“When the government doesn’t consider para teachers as regular government staff, why are they now being appointed as magistrates?,” he questioned.

Para teachers in the state have been struggling for many years for regularisation of jobs and salary fixation. Even though the government formed a committee in this regard, it was yet to take any decision, JEPSSM said.