Mangaluru: The Congress candidates for South-West Teacher’s Constituency deplored the Department of Pre-University Education order (DPUE) to commence classes a month ahead of schedule.
Addressing media at the Congress Bhavan here, K K Manjunath Kumar, Congress candidate for South-West Teacher’s Constituency in the forthcoming elections said, “The whole thought process appears to have gone wrong with the DPUE issuing the order.”
“The severity of summer, election duty for teachers, evaluation work post PU examinations are not being considered while issuing the unscientific order”, Manjunath Kumar said and warned of protest, if it’s was not taken back.
The number of earned leaves has been rolled back from 30 to 10 this year for the teaching fraternity, Manjunath Kumar stated.
DPUE had earlier stated that during this academic year, “Pre-university classes will commence a month ahead of schedule. While second PU students will have to attend classes from May 2, their first-year counterparts will have to troop in from May 14.”
Justifying the DPUE decision, C Shikha, Director of Department of Pre-University Education had said, “In the past years, second PU classes would commence in the first week of June, and first PU classes would start by the second week.”
“In view of Assembly elections this year, first and second PU exams were held early. First PU exams were over on February 21, so students have availed a vacation of 69 days”, she had said.
Manjunath Kumar also demanded the education department to resolve disparities in pay scales for teachers, misgivings in RTE admissions which are resulting in the closure of government schools and reverting to old pension scheme by foregoing NPS.
He also urged the education department to fix pay-scales for principals working in PU institutions and introduction of Universal Health Card (UHS) for the teaching fraternity.
Constitutional post being misused for political gain, alleges S P Ramesh
Addressing the media later, S P Ramesh, Congress candidate for SW Graduates’ Constituency urged the graduates to enroll as voters and cast ballot in the right manner, recalling an instance of 2900 invalid votes in the last elections. Around 62505 graduates have registered as voters spread over 6 districts till date, he said and urged voters to cast their ballot in his favour using the pen provided by the election commission.
He lamented on the “misuse of constitutional position” held by the Chairman of Legislative Council D H Shankarmurthy, asking the graduates to cast votes in favour of BJP. He urged Shankaramurthy to clarify his stand and desist from campaigning in favour of BJP candidate, while occupying the constitutional post.
Highlighting his personal achievements in brief, he thanked the Congress party for nominating him as candidate a year in advance.
