No incentive for tobacco-free activities; GH teachers irked

TURA, Nov 29: Teachers under the All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association (AGHSSASTA), while questioning the Education department’s decision to charge them with the task of organising tobacco-free activities in schools without actually funding the same, urged the government on Tuesday to rectify the matter to ease the difficulties faced by them.
In their complaint given through the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner to the Health Minister, the teachers said that apart from financial difficulties, they were overburdened by various activities with regard to environment, medical activities, election duties, social awareness activities, etc.
They added that with the additional responsibility, many of them would not be able to focus positively on teaching which would in turn result in non-completion of academic syllabus.
“As instructed by the government, we would have to frequently upload the conduct of tobacco-free activities in schools which will not be able to be dealt with uniformly due to poor network in some areas. Moreover, we will have to bear additional expenditure on our own to prepare placards, banners and tobacco free sign boards in schools,” the teachers said.
Pointing out that the children can be made aware of tobacco-free programmes in schools without actually having to organise such activities, the teachers urged the government to look into the matter and take necessary steps.