VALPOI
Students at the Government Higher Secondary School (HSS) in Valpoi on Saturday continued their agitation for the second consecutive day, protesting against the sudden removal of teachers at the institution and their replacement by newly appointed teachers.
The students had begun boycotting classes on Friday, demanding that the teachers who had been teaching them for several years be reinstated. The agitation continued on Saturday, with students coming out of their classrooms and strongly demanding that their request be accepted.
Parents have also extended their support to the students' agitation. They have described the decision to suddenly remove teachers who have been sincerely teaching for 10 to 12 years as a matter of serious concern.
Students and parents have appealed to Health Minister and local MLA Vishwajit Rane to intervene personally in the matter and help resolve the issue at the earliest.
The issue of teacher replacement has now become a matter of concern across the State, as students of other government higher secondary schools at Pernem, Sanguem and Panaji have also boycotted classes over the same issue.
Following a similar student agitation at the Government HSS at Pernem, there were reports that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured that four teachers would be allowed to rejoin that school.
This has further raised expectations among parents and protesting students at other HSSs that a similar solution could be considered for them as well.
