Teachers' Union outraged over sudden cluster training decision

Malappuram: Tensions are rising as teachers and educational staff of Kerala express outrage over the sudden decision to conduct cluster training on Saturday, July 27, without adequate preparation. The move has sparked widespread criticism, especially as it comes a few days after the Muharram holiday and a period of torrential weather disrupting regular school days.

Several members of the SSK (Samagra Shiksha Kerala) also share this concern. Normally, regular cluster and DRG (District Resource Group) training are conducted at the district and block levels respectively. However, this time, no district-level training was arranged. Instead, modules were hastily sent to the BRC (Block Resource Centres) levels with last-minute planning on Friday. This rushed approach is expected to be ineffective. SSK authorities are attempting to portray these arrangements as adequate teacher training, but teachers argue that such practices do not benefit the public education sector.

A significant number of teachers, including new appointees in aided schools and daily wage workers in government schools, are scheduled to take the PSC exam. Many teachers are also assigned invigilation duties at exam centres, making it impossible for them to attend cluster training. Opposition teacher organisations argue that political motives are driving the rushed implementation of cluster training, despite awareness of these logistical challenges.

The cluster training was originally scheduled for July 27 in the educational calendar. However, it has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 20. Although hints were dropped earlier, the official announcement will be made today, on July 19. On Thursday afternoon, trainers were informed that the cluster training would now take place on Saturday. The ruling teachers' unions had planned a strike for July 27. Allegations suggest the rescheduling was motivated by these strike plans.

The strike was scheduled as a protest against the government's anti-teacher measures, including concerns over the unscientific academic calendar. Opposition teachers' unions have already declared a strike and are actively protesting, including boycotting cluster training. This has sparked widespread debate among left-leaning teachers, and the governing teachers' unions are confronting a deep crisis. Organisations such as KPSTA, KATF, and KSTU have taken legal action, with the court adjourning the case to July 22.

The joint teachers’ committee has strongly protested against the government's actions, accusing of undermining training for left-leaning organisations. During the first cluster training of the academic year, held on the sixth working day, a group of teachers boycotted the session. There were assurances that this training would be rescheduled, but that promise was not fulfilled. Teachers who missed the training session were not provided with an alternative session.