MESTA demands resignation of Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad

Maharashtra English School Teachers Association (MESTA) President Sanjayrao Tayde Patil on Thursday, March 4, held a press conference to express the plight of teachers, support staff and their families who were suffering due to orders passed by the ministry related to the collection of school fees.

Over six lakh teachers and 1.50 lakh support staff including trustees of private schools appealed to State School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad to refrain from making any indiscriminate changes in the fee structure of private schools in Maharashtra. Moreover, he also demanded the resignation of the school Varsha Gaikwad.

MESTA chief also stated that the financial condition of teachers and schools are abysmal and need immediate financial assistance. The association said if full salaries of teachers and staff are not released it might lead to downsizing in schools and also temporary or permanent closure of many schools in the state.

“Our expectations from the MVA government have been dashed. The state government has made a big mistake by giving the post of education minister to Varsha Gaikwad and Bachchu Kadu. Those who don't know how the education department works, why should they want the post of Education Minister?” asked Sanjayrao Tayde Patil, President, Maharashtra English School Teachers Association.

While schools have addressed the same and revised fees last year, they are under immense financial distress and are on a brink of closure leading to unemployment of teaching and non-teaching staff. Parents should realise the effort taken by teachers during the lockdown.

Major demands of the MESTA organization

• Pay the minimum wage to teach and non-teaching staff
• Release pending RTE dues of last four years
• Waive government taxes and electricity charges for the academic year 2020-21
• Provide adequate representation to MESTA members in any regulatory committee formed by the state government

Are Teachers not 'COVID warriors'?

Teachers have gone beyond the call of duty and like other agencies who were providing essential services, teachers too, should be honoured with the title of ‘Covid Warriors’ but they have been insulted with massive pay cuts due to non-payment of fees.

Students have not been provided with masks and sanitisers

Last year, a lockdown was announced in the wake of the coronavirus, when the Thackeray government issued a GR requiring schools to provide masks and sanitisers to schools that fell under its purview. However, the schools have not been provided with masks and sanitisers yet, so where did the money go?

Meanwhile, Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has recently ordered an inquiry into the schools that arbitrarily solicited fees during school closure or expelled students amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus.