Black Teachers Day to be observed on September 5 Aided School Union

Patiala, August 29: Teachers and other staff members of government-aided schools in Punjab are deeply resentful towards the government due to the non-receipt of salaries for nearly eight months and the failure to issue Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) to retired staff.
Providing details on this matter, District President Ashwani Kumar Madan and District General Secretary Harvinder Pal stated that while teachers and staff of aided schools have long been struggling for their rights regarding salaries and pensions, the government has yet to provide a proper and permanent solution to this serious issue.
They noted that the lack of salary for eight consecutive months has subjected teachers and staff to severe financial hardship. Meeting daily household expenses, children's educational costs, and other essential needs has become extremely difficult for them. Meanwhile, retired teachers and staff are forced to make repeated rounds of various offices to secure their pensionary benefits and the issuance of PPOs.
Ashwani Kumar Madan emphasized that teachers and staff play a vital role in nation-building, and denying them timely salaries is deeply unfortunate and condemnable. He urged the government to treat the matter seriously and immediately release the outstanding salaries.
Union leaders further stated that the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab is failing to release 6th Pay Commission arrears to thousands of teachers and staff of aided schools, as well as to elderly pensioners. This is despite the government having submitted an affidavit to the High Court promising that teachers and pensioners of all aided schools in Punjab would receive 6th Pay Commission arrears on par with government school employees.
Five months have passed since the scheduled date for the commencement of these payments, yet the government remains indifferent, acting as if High Court rulings hold no value. The state of affairs regarding the government and bureaucracy is such that, despite a promise made in the 2022 election manifesto to grant employees of government-aided schools the same benefits as those in government schools, the pledge remains unfulfilled after four and a half years. The situation is so dire that even orders issued and joint decisions taken during meetings between the Finance Minister and union leaders have not been implemented to date.
Harvinder Pal, a state executive member and district general secretary, stated that the state committee has decided to observe a ‘Black Teachers' Day’ on September 5—marking Teachers' Day—as a form of state-level protest if the government fails to immediately address the legitimate demands of teachers and employees.
During this protest, demands will be raised for the immediate release of salaries for teachers in all aided schools—which have been unjustifiably withheld for eight months—as well as the immediate disbursement of 6th Pay Commission arrears for all employees and pensioners. Additionally, the resolution of other pending issues, such as the issuance of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) for retired teachers and employees, will be demanded.
Both leaders appealed to teachers and employees from all aided schools in Patiala district to participate in large numbers in the state-level protest scheduled for September 5, ensuring that their legitimate demands and rights are conveyed to the government with strength and clarity.