25,000 teachers from aided colleges go on strike today

MUMBAI: Over 25,000 teachers from aided colleges have decided to go on indefinite strike from Tuesday. Teachers have been demanding filling of vacant teaching posts across universities and colleges in the state and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues.
The Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation called for the state-wide cease work but many other organizations have extended support.Several colleges may have fewer lectures on Tuesday. Contractual teachers or those working on clockhour basis have extended support but may not participate in the cease-work.
The teachers have been agitating for over two months, following which they have been called for a meeting with the higher and technical education minister on Tuesday.
Tapati Mukhopadhyay, president of the organisation, said 9,511 of the 34,531 teaching posts are vacant in the state. “The state government is not making any efforts to fill the posts,” said Mukhopadhyay.
Bombay University and College Teachers Union secretary Madhu Paranjape said 1.5 lakh teachers are required.Teachers are also demanding a tribunal to deal with salary issues.