In a resolute display of their commitment to education, government school teachers across Bihar embarked on a daylong fast on Monday to voice their dissent over the ill-timed residential training program organized by the State Education Department. The program, slated to run from October 16 to 21, has been met with widespread opposition from various teachers’ associations.
The training initiative, scheduled during the sacred Navaratri festival, has sparked discontent among the teaching community. While the program aims to enhance educators’ pedagogical techniques and foster better connections with their students, the decision to conduct it during Navaratri, a period when many teachers observe fasting and participate in religious ceremonies, has raised significant concerns.
Teachers emphasize that their opposition is not directed at the training itself but rather at its unfortunate timing, coinciding with a religious festival. It’s worth noting that during Navaratri, all government schools are officially closed for Durga Puja from October 1 to October 24.
Moreover, the residential nature of the program, which requires teachers to stay at the training facilities for six days, has further fueled discontent. Teachers argue that expecting them to concentrate on training while their minds are preoccupied with religious and family obligations is counterproductive. Many educators traditionally utilize the Navaratri holidays to fulfill household responsibilities. Consequently, they view the program as an inefficient utilization of government resources.
In a show of solidarity, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has thrown its support behind the teachers, criticizing the government’s decision. Union Minister Giriraj Singh even met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday to register their strong objection, denouncing the decision as insensitive to the religious sentiments of Hindu teachers.
The state government had previously come under scrutiny for reducing holidays for teachers on important Hindu festivals, such as Raksha Bandhan. In response to public outcry, they were compelled to rescind those orders.
It remains to be seen how the standoff between teachers and the government will unfold, as educators seek to ensure that their commitment to their profession aligns harmoniously with their religious observances.
