Protest by vocational teachers in Shimla enters fifth day as government silent on demands
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Shimla : Vocational teachers in Himachal Pradesh, awaiting dialogue with the state government, continued their protest at Chaura Maidan in the capital for the fifth consecutive day on Friday.
Discontent continues among the teachers, who returned disheartened on Thursday night after hours outside the state Secretariat without a meeting with Education Minister Rohit Thakur.
The Vocational Teachers’ Union has confirmed plans to continue the protest further.
Teachers are demanding the elimination of private companies in their sector and the formation of a state policy similar to Haryana’s, where such teachers are directly hired by the government.
Union president Ashwani Dhatwalia said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar passed by the demonstration site but did not address the teachers’ grievances.
“We have been here for five days and nights, but no one is willing to discuss our demands,” Dhatwalia said.
Late Wednesday night, representatives of the Teachers’ Union gathered outside the Secretariat, hoping for a meeting with Rohit Thakur. However, their efforts didn’t frutify.
The government and the education department’s lack of engagement has heightened frustration among the protesters.
Dhatwalia criticised private companies for exploiting vocational teachers, alleging that despite government directives, salary arrears remained unpaid, and regular salaries were delayed.
He demanded the government exclude these companies and create a direct-hiring policy for vocational teachers. He said the protest would continue until their demands are met.
