Teachers cry foul, to boycott September 5 event

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh (UPMSS) has alleged anomalies in the selection of teachers to be felicitated on Teachers' Day. According to UPMSS office-bearers, the state government interviewed teachers selected for the national/state award which is in direct contravention with the Central government rules. As a mark of protest, secondary education teachers will boycott the Teachers' Day function to be held on September 5.
Not only this, said UPMSS spoesperson RP Mishra, the state selection committee for the national/state award deliberately increased the interview marks from 20 to 50. In fact, marks for the teacher's profile - which is the basis for his/her winning the award - was reduced to 50 from 80.
Introduction of interviews, said Mishra, is in contravention of Central government rules. "It's the teacher's profile which decides whether he/she is eligible for an award. The guidelines clearly say that teacher's achievements, which include his behaviour towards the students, academic performance and his contribution to society, are the basis for winning an award,'' said Mishra.
This year, the eight teachers who are to be awarded with the national/state teacher's award include seven principals. The principals to be awarded are Rajesh Singh Tomar from BKT Inter College, Lucknow; Har Prasad Yadav from Mahavir Inter College, Mainpuri; Braj Bhushan Bansal from Sanatan Dharm Inter College, Meerut; Dinesh Chandra Vashishtha from Gandhi Smarak Inter College, Eta, besides others.