Teachers Union Demands Old Pension Scheme and Stronger Public Education in Vijayawada

Teachers gathered at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada on Tuesday to demand the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees and the protection of public education.

Union Demands

Leaders from the A.P. United Teachers' Federation, including State president N. Venkateswarlu and general secretary K.S.S. Prasad, accused the Central and State governments of weakening public education while supporting private institutions. They stated that government schools serve many students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The protest took place under the banner of the South Teachers' Federation of India.

School Closures and Funding

Citing a NITI Aayog report, the federation noted that about 90,000 primary schools have been closed or merged. U-DISE Plus reports indicate that 972 primary schools were unofficially closed over the preceding two years, with government schools now serving only 42% of students. To counter this, the union demanded that 6% of the GDP and 30% of the State budget be allocated to education.

Staffing and Recruitment

The union called for filling teacher vacancies within six months through the Teacher Eligibility Test and District Selection Committee, alongside timely promotions and the appointment of special teachers and support staff.

Context

Public sector employee unions frequently advocate for the restoration of traditional defined-benefit pension plans instead of newer contributory models. Teacher organizations across India also routinely campaign for higher public spending on schooling and limits on the expansion of private education providers.