KOCHI: The workload of Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers across the state already reeling under pressure is likely to grow with the enforcement of RTE Act from April which necessitates teachers to work additional hours.In protest against imposing additional work load, delay in implementation of Modified Acquired Career Programme (MACP) and transfer issues, All India Kendriya Vidyalaya Teachers Association (AIKVTA) is gearing up to observe black day on March 16 after working hours.“We are following the directive of our headquarters in New Delhi.The notice for the protest has been sent,” said Sadanandan K AIKVTA Chennai Region general secretary.As per the new rule teachers have to reach school half an hour earlier than the usual time and remain on the school campus for an hour even after students depart which means 45 working hours a week.The extra time is to prepare lessons, improve methodology and ensure that students come in time and leave school in time.Ever since the introduction of Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) workload of teachers has increased.We work six days a week, he said.“As per RTE Act the pupil-teacher ratio is 30:1 but our schools have high strength.Another issue is the MACP implementation recommended by the sixth pay commission.Only the non-teaching staff of KV schools have benefited from it.The grade of teachers which ought to change after every 10, 20 and 30 years remains the same,” he said.Another issue is that there is no policy for all- India teachers transfer.The authorities keep changing the guidelines every year and rules are violated often to cater to vested interests, he said.“It is difficult to evaluate each student properly as there are about 50 or more students in each class.Moreover, special attention can’t be given to the weak students due to work load,” said teachers of the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) in Kochi.Same is the case with teachers in 32 other schools in the state.There are 33 KVs in the state - 24 under the Chennai Regional Office and nine under the Bangalore Regional Office.However, M R Murali, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Chennai region, is confident of streamlining the issues.“The authorities have introduced this after conducting studies and discussions.Obviously implementation of anything new invites objections.The issues will be streamlined soon,” said Murali.He said the student strength is mostly high in classes above Std VIII for which RTE is not applicable.“But why the working hours of higher classes are increased,” asks Sadanandan.
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