People's Democracy

STFI to Join Feb 2013 General Strike

MEETING at the Teachers Bhavan, New Delhi on September 29, 2012, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the School Teachers Federation of India (STFI) resolved to participate in the all-India general strike on February 20 and 21, 2013, which has been called for by the central trade union organisations and some other national level organisations. The CEC also resolved that more than 2000 teachers would be sent to participate in the March to Parliament on December 20, 2012. The CEC has urged all state units of the STFI to go in for an effective campaign in support of the all-India strike and explain to the teachers and others the attacks coming from the neo-liberal policies of the UPA-2 government. The CEC said that with the help of printed pamphlets and posters it must be made clear how these policies are adversely affecting the teachers community as well --- through the new pension scheme, appointment of contract teachers, privatisation and commercialisation of education etc.

The CEC also asked all state units of the STFI to observe the “World Teachers Day” on October 5, 2012 by organising seminars, projecting the STFI demands on education and teachers, etc. The slogan is: “Strengthen Public Education, Uphold Teachers’ Dignity!” The CEC also decided to hold a national convention on women teachers at Bangalore, Karnataka on December 29-30, 2012.    

The CEC meeting was presided over by STFI president Abhijit Mukherji, while general secretary K Rajendran, treasurer C N Bharti, joint general secretary M Shajahan, vice presidents N Narayana, Santiram Battacharya, K N Sukumaran, T Ganeshan, Basavaraj Gurikar and Prem Rakkar, secretaries Utpal Roy, A K Unni Krishnan, Ashim Pal, K Bhoopalan, P D Sridevi, and Sima Dutta and CEC members from 15 states attended it.