Bihar teachers lathi-charged

A large number of teachers were injured on Friday when the police resorted to a brutal lathicharge to disperse a violent agitation by Lok Sikshaks or ad hoc teachers demanding regularisation of their services and raise in salary.

Teachers appointed on a temporary basis for the Sarv Siksha Abhiyaan had taken to the streets raising slogans in favour of their demands. They were demanding that they be given first preference in appointments, as the government declared that it is going to appoint around 2.5 lakh teachers. They wanted to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too.

There are around 25,000 Lok Sikshaks in the state. Education Secretary MM Jha said that the appointments would be carried out according to set rules. 8216;8216;Many of these Lok Sikshaks are simple matriculates and rules do not allow for their appointment. Trained teachers are required,8217;8217; he pointed out.