People's Democracy

Navodaya Vidyalaya Staff Convention In Delhi

L B Reddy

THE All India Navodaya Vidyalaya Staff Association (AINVSA) organised ‘Delhi Convention’ on August 27, which was attended by over 1000 delegates from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) of various states. The convention was inaugurated by union HRD minister Arjun Singh and was addressed by 

In his address to the gathering, the minister appreciated the sincere services being rendered by the staff of JNVs and attributed the success recorded at national level entirely to the employees of these vidyalayas. The minister assured of an amicable solution to all the demands put forth by the Association in the coming weeks. With regard to sanction of gratuity to the teachers, the minister informed that necessary orders were already issued. The most desired and long pending issue of pension is under active and advanced stage of consideration, he assured and hoped that the long cherished dreams of the employees would come true.

Sudeep Banerjee, secretary for higher education in the ministry of HRD, spoke vividly about the keen interest he had taken in solving the problems put forth to him. He appreciated the commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samithi (NVS) for the response given to the various review meetings conducted by him. 

Speaking on the occasion O N Singh, commissioner, NVS informed the delegates that he had been leaving no stone unturned in solving the problems of the employees and with the co-operation of the higher officials he could actualise the submission of a draft cabinet note. He said the NVS had effectively convinced the finance department about the queries raised by them. The commissioner opined that there was no reason why the NVS should not get pension facility even after these efforts.

The commissioner also informed that the HRD minister had approved the sanction of posts of Warden/Matron to relieve the pressure on teachers. The other demands which are at NVS level would receive due attention in the coming weeks, he said. 

Penumalli Madhu, CPI(M) MP and guiding force of the Association, spoke at length on how to organise the Association and put forth the demands before the higher officials. He emphasised that the staff should work with dedication and integrity. He advised that sacrifices of employees would alone strengthen the Association.

Shaheen, MP (LS) from Baramulla (J&K), who attended the convention as the guest of honour, called upon the employees to be united and face the challenges boldly. He further said that the employees should solve their problems in a democratic manner and should not forget their responsibilities.

Vijender Sharma, former president of Delhi University Teachers Association, delivered his speech on the emerging trends in the field of education and the most perilous provisions made in the draft on Right to Education Bill - 2006 proposed by UPA government. He enumerated the consequences of the proposed act in a most impressive manner and received thunderous applause from the gathering. He has cautioned the teaching community in particular to oppose the proposed RTE bill.

K M Yadav, president of AIKVTA congratulated the AINVSA for conducting the convention on such a large scale and expressed solidarity in solving the problems. S Mallik, general secretary of AIKVTA, had advised the teaching and non-teaching staff of NVS to be united and not to fall prey to the vested interests design to divide them.

Various delegates from the three regions of Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow and also from other regions spoke on the occasion. L B Reddy, general secretary of the Association, submitted a report in Hindi, which was endorsed by the delegates enthusiastically. T P Mani, president AINVSA, welcomed the guests and presided over the convention. The convention concluded with the adoption of a resolution on the Right to Education Bill.