Punjab Education Minister O.P. Soni today specifically said that unions are using teachers for their vested interests. During a function to give away appointment letters to SSA and other societies teachers held at Punjab School Education Board, the minister said that the state government has gave both options to the teachers to continue their services under societies or take the opportunity to regularize their services in education department. Later, Mr. Soni handed over the appointment letters to 650 teachers, who choose the option to regularize their services with the Education Department from Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan (SSA) and other societies. It is pertinent to mention that the Punjab Government has issued the notification for regular appointments of teachers. Till date, thousands of teachers, who clicked this option between 8 to 23 October, have been given appointment letters.
Exhorting the teachers, Mr. Soni categorically said that newly appointed teachers would be given a choice to choose the stations. Congratulating them for their new endeavour, he said, "state government has given a grade pay of Rs.5000 to teachers and I personally thanked worthy Chief Minister for this act of kindness". He said that teachers, who became part of the government, should promote the policies to implement the qualitative education and illuminate the name of their schools. "Teachers should only think for the best results of the students instead the way of protests." he added.On this occasion, Secretary, School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar, Chairman, Punjab School Education Board Mr. Manohar Kant Klohiya, Director General School Education Mr. Prashant Goyal, DPI (Secondary) Sukhjit Pal Singh, DPI (Elementary) Inderjit Singh and other officers were present.