Gujarat : Surat NPSS Teachers Join OPS Demand, Stage “Maha Matdan” and Pen Down Event

Surat : Following suit after government employees and teachers, about 4,500 teachers from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)-run Nagar Prathamik Shikshan Samiti (NPSS) schools have joined the chorus demanding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

On Wednesday, the protesting teachers organized a unique event called “Maha Matdan” (mega voting) to express their demands to the state government. This involved a “pen down” event held across all NPSS schools in Surat, transforming 44 schools into polling centers. Here, teachers cast their symbolic “votes” in favor of the OPS.

Expressing their resolve, the protesting teachers announced plans to organize a march to Gandhinagar, the state capital, to further highlight their demands for the OPS and other unresolved issues on March 9.

Suresh Joshi, general secretary (Limbayat Zone), Rashtriya Shikshak Mahasangh said, “About 4,500 teachers from the NPSS schools in Surat participated in the ‘Maha Matdan’ event to press for the demand of the OPS. The counting of the votes will be held soon”

The Shikshak Mahasang leader said that through voting they  are going to represent government about the implementation of OPS and other pending demands. Before the last Gujarat Assembly elections, the government formed a five member committee of the ministers where the OPS and other demands were accepted and the government promised to implement after elections. It has been more than two years, the government is yet to implement the demands.

“We are using the ballot to represent our demands to the Government. We are going to deposit the ballot in the government and it will be registered in the registry department in Gandhinagar” said Mahesh Patel, leader of teachers union in Surat.

The “Maha Matdan” initiative serves as a strong message to the authorities, showcasing the collective voice of the NPSS teachers in their pursuit of the Old Pension Scheme. This peaceful yet impactful act highlights the growing momentum behind the OPS demand, not only amongst government employees but also extending to educators in the municipal corporation-run schools.

“While the government’s stance on the OPS remains unclear, the “Maha Matdan” and the planned march to Gandhinagar by the NPSS teachers demonstrate their unwavering commitment to their cause. It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to these growing demands and whether the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme becomes a reality” said a protesting teacher.