STFI Conference Resolves to Defend Public Education
C N Bharti
THE School Teachers’ Federation of India (STFI) has decided to launch a sustained movement in defence of public education. On the occasion of the 9th All India Conference of the Federation, held in Kolkata from August 8-10, a public rally was organised on the last day attended by thousands of teachers. Newly elected president, C N Bharti and general secretary Ravi Chava reported the decisions taken during the three-day conference.
As part of the programme of action, lakhs of teachers will be mobilised during a mass contact campaign from September 1 to November 25, 2025. Block, district, and state-level protest demonstrations will be organised to oppose the commercialisation, centralisation, and communalisation of education under the designs of NEP-2020. Thereafter, an all India protest march will be organised in Delhi during the winter session of parliament.
The 9th All India Triennial Conference of the STFI was successfully held under the slogan “Protect public education for inclusive development and protect the Constitution for vibrant democracy.” The conference was jointly hosted by ABTA and ABPTA. It was attended by 497 delegates, 62 observers, and two distinguished guests – former STFI president Abhijit Mukherjee and former general secretary K Rajendran.
The conference began with the flag hoisting ceremony on August 8. C N Bharti, general secretary STFI, first hoisted the national flag, followed by K C Hari Krishnan, president STFI, hoisting the STFI flag. Tributes were then paid to martyrs.
INAUGURAL SESSION
The inaugural session featured addresses by distinguished speakers including Prof. Pabitra Sarkar, former vice-chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University and president of the Reception Committee; Prof. Shyamol Chakraborty, Calcutta University; Prof. Siddharth Dutta, Jadavpur University; Prof. Abdul Kaffi, Jadavpur University; Amiya Kumar Mohanty, president FISE and convenor JFME; K Rajendran and Abhijit Mukherjee, former STFI leaders. All the speakers emphasised the importance of safeguarding public education with a progressive ethos, scientific temperament, and constitutional and democratic values. They highlighted the need to remain vigilant against changes in NCERT books that introduce unfounded and unscientific content prepared by RSS ideologues, aimed at communalising young minds through education.
C N Bharti presided over the inaugural session, and K C Hari Krishnan delivered the vote of thanks.
On the first day, in the afternoon, a seminar was held to emphasise the salient features of NEP-2020. It was chaired by K C Hari Krishnan. STFI vice president Ravi Chava presented a resolution on the topic “The Impact of NEP-2020 – Save Public Education.” The main speakers, Prof. Nandani Mukherjee (Jadavpur University) and Prof. Debasis Sarkar (principal, Chandernagore College), highlighted the drawbacks of the policy. They argued that it cannot truly be called a “national” education policy, as it ignores the diversity and plural character of the country. Serious efforts, they pointed out, are being made to centralise educational management and content.
ORGANISATIONAL SESSIONS
The organisational session began in the evening on August 8. The conference approved various committees including the presidium, steering committee, minutes, credentials, registration, discipline and management, and social media, to ensure the smooth proceedings of the three-day event. The presidium comprised K C Hari Krishnan, D Sudheesh, N Venkateswarlu, S Mayil, Mahavir Singh Sihag, Mohan Dass Pandit, and K Badarunissa. K C Hari Krishnan presented the condolence resolution, followed by two minutes of silence in memory of martyrs and those who had passed away during the last three years. C N Bharti, general secretary, presented the organisational report of the past three years. The report described how STFI has been struggling and fighting to safeguard public education, the nation, the Constitution, democracy, and communal harmony. It also acknowledged the limitations and shortcomings of the federation, with a positive outlook that new targets would be achieved in the future, and the federation would emerge stronger and more effective.
Prakash Chandra Mohanty, treasurer, submitted the financial report of the federation. In total, 18 resolutions were presented and accepted by the conference, including the resolution to “Declare 3rd January a National Women Teachers’ Day” in memory of Savitribai Phule, the first woman teacher of modern India.
On the second day, August 9, discussions on the organisational and financial reports continued. 39 delegates from all 25 affiliated organisations presented their state reports and took part in the deliberations.
SEMINARS
In the morning on August 9, a seminar on women and girls’ issues was organised. K Badarunissa chaired the session and placed the resolution “Stop Violence Against Women and Girl Children, Stand for Gender Justice.” Malini Bhattacharya, former MP and former president of AIDWA, spoke on the subject. In the evening, a seminar on “Save Constitution, Ensure Communal Harmony” was held. Sukumar Pain placed the main resolution, and Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, MP (Rajya Sabha) addressed the seminar. He demonstrated how the present central government is attacking the Constitution. He highlighted how the principles of equality, equity, secularism, and communal harmony are all under attack.
On the last day, August 10, the new committee of the STFI was elected. The 52nd Foundation Day of APUTF was also observed.
A total of 84 members were elected to the new general council, 41 new CEC members were nominated by affiliated organisations, and three co-opted members were included from the centre.
Reply to the discussions on reports was given by C N Bharti and Prakash Chandra Mohanty. Both the organisational and financial reports, along with all 18 resolutions, were unanimously adopted by the conference. Ravi Chava presented the credential report.
The newly elected 87-member General Council met and elected 22 office bearers and one special invitee, with C N Bharti (Centre, Haryana) as president, Ravi Chava (TSUTF, Telangana) as general secretary and TKA Shafi (KSTA, Kerala) as treasurer.
The Reception Committee honoured all the outgoing office bearers as well as representatives of all 25 affiliated organisations with mementos. A farewell resolution was passed for outgoing president K C Hari Krishnan, vice president M Samyukta, secretary Md. Alauddin, and other outgoing office bearers. A resolution applauding the Reception Committee for their hospitality and excellent arrangements was also unanimously adopted. Special thanks were extended to Om Prakash Pandey, Md. Alauddin, and Nehal Qaisar, along with dozens of activists and volunteers, for their tireless efforts in making the conference a success. The conference proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks by Sukumar Pain.
PUBLIC MEETING
On August 10, in the afternoon, a public meeting was held at Rani Rashmoni Road, which saw the participation of more than 4,000 teachers. The meeting was chaired by the newly elected STFI president, C N Bharti. It was addressed by Md. Saleem, former MP, as the main speaker. STFI general secretary Ravi Chava elaborated on the resolutions adopted at the conference and outlined future plans of action.
With this, the 9th Conference of the STFI concluded, renewing the determination and resolve of the organisation to continue the struggle for protecting public education and securing a better future for the country.
