Jaipur: Teachers’ associations across Rajasthan will stage a statewide protest Tuesday against the reduction of summer vacations by 10 days this year. As part of the protest, teachers’ bodies will submit memorandums addressed to the education minister through district collectors across the state.As per the academic calendar issued by the education dept, summer vacations this year will be from May 17 till June 21, instead of the earlier schedule that extended till June 30. The department has also reduced principals’ discretionary holidays from two to one.State President of the Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Ekikrit, Ranjit Meena said, “Instead of filling the vacant posts for teachers and issuing a proper transfer policy, the govt’s decision to curtail their holidays exposes administrative failure. If the govt insists on reducing holidays, it should be compensated with privilege leave.”Teachers argued that despite conducting SIR duties along with classroom teaching and ensuring that the current academic session starts on April 1, their demands are not being met.State president of Rajasthan Elementary Secondary Teachers Association, Mohar Singh said that during a meeting held with the education minister on March 6, different teachers’ organisations had registered their strong protest against the proposed reduction in summer vacations. “Despite this, the dept has taken a unilateral decision to implement the reduction in holidays. Reopening schools earlier curtails teachers’ scheduled summer vacation and is a direct violation of service rules. If a change in dates becomes necessary, then compensatory or alternative substitute leave should be granted,” he said.Teachers also said that if the govt feels that the leave entitlement of teachers is excessive compared to other depts, then the holiday schedule across all govt schools should be standardised to align with that of other govt offices.
