8TH ALL India conference of the School Teachers Federation of India was held at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on May 20-22, 2022. It was attended by 657 delegates 23 CEC and 61 observers from 24 school teachers’ organisations having membership of seven lakhs and covering 12 states.

The conference focused on three main agendas:

·        To draw a road map to fight against NEP - 2020 and strengthen the public education system, arouse a mass movement in favour of secular, democratic and progressive education and promote scientific temper. To launch a movement in favour of the old pension scheme and other issues of the teachers and students.

·        To discuss, work report, organisational tasks and expansion of the STFI.

·        To elect a new committee for the next three years term.

PUBLIC MEETING

A public rally started from Nirmala Convent  School ground to Vedika function hall auditorium on May 20 and a public meeting was held there. More than 1,200 teachers took part in the rally. It was addressed by K S Lakshmana Rao and Saike Sabjee MLC, Abhijeet Mukherjee, C N Bharti, M Sanyukta and K S S Prasad. K C Harikrishanan placed the Kerala model of education in the public meeting.

After flag hoisting by the STFI president, an inaugural session was organised at MKB Vigyaan Kendra. The keynote address was delivered by Justice K Chandru(retired judge of Madras High Court). He left an indelible mark on the minds of activists of the teachers' movement. He emphasised the need to understand the issues related to social justice. Justice Chandru referred to provisions of the constitution to strengthen his point. The general secretary of the All India State Government Employees Federation, A Srikumar extended his support and greetings for the success of the conference.

PRESENTATION OF REPORT &, DISCUSSION  

In the evening session on May 20, C N Bharti, the general secretary placed a report on the movement and organisation since the 7th Puri conference. The report pointed out the fresh attacks on education under the corporate-communal regime. Induction of the NEP-20 without discussion in the parliament and with the stakeholders is the testimony of the BJP government's autocratic way of working. The report further emphasised that this policy will promote commercialisation, centralisation and communalisation of education. The report was discussed at length by the delegates. A total of 38 delegates took 330 minutes for discussion and gave valuable suggestions. The conference resolved to launch a joint agitation for the demand to repeal NEP and for access, quality, equality and equity in education. To repeal NPS is another core issue of the agitation. In the concluding session a call was given to mass contact programme in the month of June 2022, district-level demonstrations on July 7, and an all India convention in Delhi on July 17, 2022.

RESOLUTIONS ACCEPTED

The conference discussed and passed 10 resolutions - Hailing the victory of the kisan movement; Related to income tax slabs; Against the national monetisation pipeline; To repeal NEP; To repeal NPS; Regularisation of services; On gender equality; On mid-day meal; On the need of communal harmony; and For filling vacancies of teachers and non-teaching staff.

SEMINARS

On the second day, May 21, a seminar was held on gender equality and problems faced by girl students. Mariam Dhawale, general secretary of AIDWA, delivered the main speech. Her eloquent address highlighted discrimination against women in a patriarchal society. She called the teachers to understand the issue of gender equality. It is necessary for making a better world. She also raised the demand of 33 per cent reservation for women in the parliament and state assemblies.

On May 22,  Surajit Majumdar professor at JNU spoke: "On Privatisation and Economic Crisis”. He explained the present juncture of the economic crisis under neo-liberal policies. It is obvious loot of public assets. The government is allowing crony capital to take over the public sector through the national monetisation pipeline and other means. The burden of the crises is being transferred to common people through price rises, term appointments and privatisation.

Eminent social activist,  Teesta Setalwad emphasised the need for communal harmony and peace for the development of the society. She addressed the seminar online from Mumbai.

ELECTIONS

A 90-member general council, 47 members central executive committee and 23 member secretariat were elected unanimously on May 22. K  C Harikrishanan was elected as president, C N Bharti general secretary, Sukumar Pain, joint general secretary and Prakash Chandra Mohanty as the treasurer. Along with the above, nine vice - presidents, and nine secretaries were also elected.

Nilotpal Basu extended his support and valuable guidance for the conference.