Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 2 May 2021
Assistant Commissioner (HQ) with the approval of Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District has directed the teachers (both regular and contract) working under Nicobar District to report to concerned Assistant Commissioners/Sub-Divisional Magistrates of their respective jurisdiction for COVID management/surveillance duties.
The teachers working in Nicobar District have condemned this step of the district administration since their vacations have started from 1st of May 2021 and they were hoping to go back to their homes in other districts and spend some time with their families and loved ones.
It is being reported that most of the teachers haven’t been home in about a year and have already actively done COVID duty last year. These teachers are serving the citizens of one of the most remotest districts of India and at least expect their vacation to be granted to them for meeting and spending time with their families.
One teacher on condition of anonymity told Nicobar Times that after serving the vacation period on COVID duty they may or may not get earned leave and even if earned leave is granted, it will be granted for 20 days. In the 20 credit of earned leaves it is difficult for them to travel to their home districts and spend time with their families because of irregular shipping services for the southern group of Islands.
Further the teacher also informed Nicobar Times that many teachers who are posted in Little Andaman as well as North and Middle Andaman District, have been allowed to avail their vacations and the administration has even facilitated their travel to their homes by arranging transportation.
The teacher also added that, only in Nicobar District all teachers have been asked to mandatorily report for COVID duty to the respective Assistant Commissioners/Sub-Divisional Magistrate of their jurisdiction.
The teacher also explained that several local teachers, contract teachers, non-teaching staffs and non-vacation officials of other departments are available for COVID duty but still district administration has made it mandatory for all teachers to serve during their vacation period.
Mr. T.S Sreekumar, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officer Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has also written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District requesting him to allow the teachers to proceed to Port Blair for their vacation as they haven’t got the opportunity to visit their families in the summer vacation of 2020.
Mr. T.S Sreekumar also added, that only a small number of teachers wants to visit their homes and they are also ready to return back to the station after one month or so, if required.
While containing the spread of COVID-19 is very important, it is also important for these teachers to at least see their families during this vacation period as most of them haven’t been home for over one year.