Terminated B.Ed. teachers' protest enters 100th day, plan demo ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s Bilaspur visit

RAIPUR: The demonstration by over 2,500 B.Ed.-trained assistant teachers, who were terminated from their jobs three months ago, entered its 100th day on Friday. Later that night, the protesting teachers reached Bilaspur to stage a demonstration, holding placards demanding their reinstatement ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city on Sunday.
One of the affected B.Ed.-qualified assistant teachers, Vikash Mishra, stated on Saturday that 2,621 out of 2,897 teachers remain unemployed after those who held both B.Ed. and D.Ed. degrees were accommodated in elementary education jobs under the state government’s rules.
“Our demonstration at Tuta, the protest site in Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, entered its 100th day on Friday, and we will continue until our demands are met. We reached Bilaspur on Friday night to stage a demonstration in view of the Prime Minister’s visit on Sunday, hoping to draw the state government’s attention for swift action,” he said.
Another B.Ed.-trained teacher mentioned that a 10-member delegation had recently met with the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and the Education Secretary to apprise them of their concerns.
Sources claimed that the state government may accommodate these B.Ed.-qualified teachers against approximately 4,500 vacant lab assistant posts in government schools across Chhattisgarh. A proposal regarding this has been moved within the department, sources added.
Meanwhile, a delegation of various employee organizations, led by Kamal Verma, President of the Chhattisgarh Karmchari Adhikari Federation, met with the Education Secretary on Friday to demand the reinstatement of dismissed B.Ed.-trained assistant teachers.
The delegation informed the Education Secretary that B.Ed.-trained assistant teachers, selected through the Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board (Vyapam) examination, were removed from service following a High Court order upholding the prescribed rules favoring D.Ed. candidates for government primary school positions. As a result, many teachers and their families are facing severe financial distress. Additionally, several have crossed the maximum age limit, leaving them with no alternative employment opportunities. Verma told TOI that the Education Secretary responded positively to the issue.
The organizations urged the Chhattisgarh government to introduce a cabinet proposal for the immediate adjustment of these teachers as 'Laboratory Assistant Teachers' to ensure their livelihood security.
In a major development, the Balod Superintendent of Police’s office issued a circular on Saturday to all Station House Officers (SHOs), directing them to remain alert regarding the movement of striking B.Ed. teachers towards Bilaspur.
The circular stated: “There is a possibility that B.Ed.-degree holder assistant teachers may reach Bilaspur when the Prime Minister arrives on Sunday to raise their demands. Therefore, all SHOs are directed to monitor their movement and gather information on those planning to join the demonstration. The details to be shared include the names of the B.Ed. teachers' leaders, their mobile numbers, and their expected arrival date.”