Aspiring teachers admitted to Pune hosp

NINE DAYS OF HUNGER STRIKE

Teaching aspirants have been staging a hunger strike outside the Pune Central building for the past nine days, urging the government authorities to initiate a recruitment drive. The protesting candidates have cleared the entrance exams and are waiting to be hired as teachers. The protest took a toll on their health. Some were admitted to the Sassoon hospital. They were dehydrated and doctors recommended fruits and juices for strength, failing which, their condition could worsen further.

The education minister, Vinod Tawde, spoke to the candidates over the phone. However, there has been no end to the problem, so the candidates refused to withdraw the protest. “We have demanded that the government put out a one-time advertisement for the 24,000 teaching vacancies, or else we will continue our protest,” said an agitating candidate.

In a show of solidarity, other candidates from different parts of the state have also joined them in Pune. The guardian minister, Girish Bapat, had visited the candidates three days ago and promised to speak to the chief minister on Tuesday.

A few representatives of the protesting candidates are expected to come to Mumbai on Tuesday, but the agitators will continue their fast until they receive a concrete assurance about the fulfilment of their demands.

“In the next eight days, the first advertisement for a recruitment drive for government schools, local self-government and privates institutions in 15 districts will be released. Moreover, we have asked every principal to submit videos of every interview conducted,” Tawde had said four days ago.

The enrollment formalities will be completed within 15 days of the advertisement, he had assured. “This will be completed before the model code of conduct comes into effect before the elections,” he had promised.

Representatives of the protesting candidates are expected to come to Mumbai on Tuesday, but the agitators will continue their fast until they receive a concrete assurance about the fulfilment of their demands.