IMPHAL, May 30: A sit-in-protest was staged against the continuing injustice and discrimination towards the Inclusive Education (IE) caregivers under SSA by the concerned department with respect to their contract agreements. They were all appointed under the advertisement no. 1/3/09/-SSA (SMA) dated 21/03/ 2011.
The sit-in-protest was staged at Khuyathong on Friday after a memorandum had been submitted to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Thursday.
Speaking to media persons, Kh Premita, a protesting caregiver, stated that if IE caregivers are disengaged it would prove difficult while handling children with special needs (CWSN).
Continuing that IE caregivers are qualified in the detection and management of CWSN both in pre and post natal cases and these services are indispensable in identification and support of the CWSN, she said that the IE caregivers were in service without pay since March 2014 but insisted on rendering service considering their requirement by CWSN.
She alleged that IE caregivers are not treated equally with others staffs engaged and appointed on contract.
“If the caregivers are not engaged again or the contract agreements are not renewed then it will severely affect the livelihood of most of them as they are over aged to apply for other jobs. Such a step will put great challenges to the implementing agency in catering the needs and importance of CWSN,” she said, highlighting their role in education of children with CWSN and in reinforcing and enrolling CWSN in normal government schools and indentifying them.
The caregivers are in a unique position to help the children in their pursuit of formal education, she said.