Teachers' meet shut schools

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 29: Despite requests from the chairman of the District Primary School Council (DPSC), the leaders of CPI-M backed primary teachers today organised a conference of English Bazaar urban circle- I at Subhash Pally leading to closure of at least ten day-section schools today.It may be noted that the chairman of the DPSC had requested the leaders of the primary teachers not to hold conference on weekdays and suggested them to organise conferences on holidays.Speaking to The Statesman the chairman of the DPSC Mr Uttam Sarkar said: “Last year teachers organised such conference on weekdays. When the matter came to light I requested them not to organie such conferences on weekdays as it led to closing down schools. They had ensured that they will not held conferences on weekdays. It was discussed that without prior permission no conference would be organised on weekdays.“But they organised such a conference today without permission. I will inquire into the matter and take necessary steps.”It was learnt that the chairman also asked them to organise such conference on Saturday afternoons after attending the school in the morning.The objective was not to shutdown schools depriving the primary students of classes due to the teachers' conference and movement. In English Bazaar urban circle -I area there are many primary schools, which run in the morning but around ten schools run during the day shift.