Protests outside Assembly against passage of bill

NEW DELHI: Scores of protesters, claiming to be teaching aspirants, staged a demonstration outside Delhi Assembly on Wednesday, against the Bill that seeks to regularise guest teachers and was passed during a special one-day session.

The protesters demanded that a competitive exam be held for all aspirants and that no special treatment should be given to guest teachers.

Many said injustice was being meted out to them by giving preference to guest teachers. "This is my last chance and if they pass the Bill, I won't get a chance," said one of the protestors.

Meanwhile, the association of guest teachers in Delhi – who have been fighting for the regularisation – criticised the protest and said that the guest teachers have already proved their worth.

"We all are experienced and working at par with permanent teachers. We have no need to prove our credentials," said a guest teacher, who wished to remain anonymous.

The associations expressed their happiness over the initiative by the Delhi Cabinet to pass the bill.

Earlier, they had met Delhi Education minister Manish Sisodia, who assured them that the bill would be passed. They also said that they will meet Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to request him to approve the bill.

"We had earlier met the LG and discussed all our issues. He assured us that he will try his best to protect our rights," said a guest teacher.

The association members had earlier protested in front of the LG'S house regarding passage of the bill.

However, some guest teachers said that they are still in doubt over the LG'S approval, as Baijal recently had recently asked the Delhi government not to table the bill in the Assembly.

The bill, approved by the Delhi Cabinet last week, seeks to regularise 15,000 guest teachers in Delhi government schools. The bill was finally passed on Wednesday.