A day after their arrest for protesting against the Administration’s failure in regularising their services, nearly 70 contractual teachers were released on bail on Saturday.

As part of their protest, the teachers were seen sweeping the city roads as they headed towards the UT Secretariat in Sector 9 yesterday. They were arrested by the police under Section 188 of the IPC.

While the women protestors were released around midnight, their male counterparts were produced in the court of district magistrate where they were granted bail.

Meanwhile, the Education department has termed the protest as “unjustified”. Defending the department’s decision of not regularising the posts, Director Public Instructions (Schools) Samwartak Singh said: “The Supreme Court had dismissed the case of regularising these posts in May this year. Hence, we cannot fulfill their demand. The teachers, however, can sit for the written test that will be held to fill around 600 posts lying vacant in the department. If they qualify the examination, they will get regular appointments.”

The Administration has also decided to relax the age limit by five years for contractual teachers who have applied for these posts. Besides, they have also been given an assurance that due weightage will be given to their experience. Giving a warning to the protestors, the Administration has asked them to stay away from unlawful activities lest their services will be terminated.

Teachers’ union condemns police action
Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) condemned the police decision to arrest the schoolteachers working on contract basis. Vice-President of

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