APJAC demands time scale for ‘Samara Siksha’teachers

Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Committee – Amaravati (APJAC – Amaravati) Chairman, Bopparaju Venkanteswarlu, has called upon the State government to enforce a Minimum Time Scale (MTS) for Art, Craft, and Physical Education Teachers (PET) employed under the Andhra Pradesh ‘Samagra Shiksha’. Venkateswarlu said that these teachers contribute on par with regular employees within the School Education Department but are remunerated inadequately by the government.
The Andhra Pradesh Work Art, Physical Education Teachers, and Instructors Unity Welfare Association convened at the AP Revenue Bhavan in Vijayawada on Sunday to address long-standing grievances. Despite years of advocacy, none of the previous administrations have adequately addressed their concerns.
Speaking as the chief guest at the meeting, Bopparaju Venkateswarlu asserted that implementing MTS stands as the most viable solution for these teachers. He advocated for the provision of Employee State Insurance (ESI) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) benefits, akin to those extended to outsourced employees. Venkateswarlu expressed gratitude towards Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana for the recent 23 per cent wage increase.
Siva Kumari Reddy, President of the Andhra Pradesh Work Art and Physical Education Teachers Unity Welfare Association, emphasized the necessity of redesignating these educators as Vocational Teachers. Additionally, she urged the government to extend the Minimum Time Scale to all Art, Craft, and PETs.
The meeting saw the presence of key figures including APJAC-Amravati Secretary General P Damodara Rao, Women Wing chairperson P Lakshmi, General Secretary P Vijaya Lakshmi, Capital Wing Chairperson P Sri Devi, general secretary Vani, and others.