Adi Dravidar teachers 'kept in dark' on merger

CHENNAI: After drawing flak from various quarters regarding the announcement of Adi Dravidar Welfare (ADW) schools merging with the School Education Department (SED), teachers and stakeholders have alleged that they are kept in the dark regarding the merging process.

Subsequently, ADW teachers have also claimed that so far no meetings or productive talks were held by the officials to address their concerns and opposition regarding schools merging. Besides this, there are speculations within the ADW department if the merger is currently put on hold following protests and backlash by teachers across Tamil Nadu.

During the budget session in March, the former State Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced that schools under all departments including ADW and denotified communities will be brought under SED. And, for this department also began collecting data on schools under various departments.

However, this announcement was met with several criticisms that the students of the communities will be deprived of the special focus. And, teachers, educationalists and stakeholders persisted in the schools to not be merged with SED instead demanded to fill vacancies in ADW schools, improve quality of teaching and infrastructure.

An ADW officer working in one of the western districts said that due to backlash, the merging process is likely to be put on hold. “Though there is no official intimation on halting the merging process, the recent backlashes have slowed the process and perhaps is on hold.”

“It is no doubt that bringing these schools under SED will drastically affect both ADW students and teachers. It is only fair that the announcement is given more thought and discussions,”the officer added.

Speaking about keeping ADW teachers in the dark, P Sudhakar, State president, TN Asiriyar Kaapalar Urimari Paadhugapu Sangam, Salem said, “Right after the announcement, the department begun actively gathering data and also held a meeting in early May. But, by and large, we are unaware of the decisions made regarding merging. Also, our concerns are still not addressed by both the officials and minister.”

Likewise, T Ravikumar, a tutor and warden at ADW hostel, Ambasamudram and president of SC/ST government employees’ welfare association, Kancheepuram agreeing that the government is yet to hold talks with them pointed out a difficulty in merging. “The SED has currently put a hold on teachers' promotion and transfers due to Madras High Court’s order on making TET mandatory. In case a case, bringing in ADW teachers will create more chaos, ultimately affecting class room teaching.”

Hence, Ravi urged the department to adopt transparent measures and to hold talks with ADW teachers.

Commenting on various allegations, an ADW official on the condition of anonymity said, “We have not put hold to the merging process. In fact, the work is underway, but at a slower pace. We will do the needful taking the welfare of ADW teachers and students into consideration.”