Agartala, July 15: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb held discussion with the Union Minister for Education- Dharmendra Pradhan about regularization of the teachers who were earlier recruited under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) on contract basis.

During his meeting with the Union Minister for Education, Deb also placed a proposal for setting up two new Kendriya Vidyalayas at Udaipur and Dharmanagar. He also demanded additional fund for Mid-day-meal scheme.

“Called on the Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji and extended my best wishes for his new role in the Cabinet. Had a detailed discussion on regularisation of SSA teachers & submitted proposals for establishment of Kendriya Vidyalayas at Udaipur & Dharmanagar,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

During the discussion, Deb highlighted that regularization of the SSA Teachers was ordered by the High Court of Tripura in its Judgment on February 23, 2021 last.

He apprised the Education Minister that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in Tripura in 2001-02 and 5,691 contract teachers were engaged between 2003-04 and 2011-12. At present, there are 5,374 contract teachers working under Samagra Shiksha, out of which, 5,132 were recruited under the erstwhile SSA.

According to a government press release, Deb also held discussion on two new proposed Kendriya Vidyalayas at Banduwar of Udaipur under Gomati District and East Hurua of Dharmanagar under North District Tripura. In this context, Deb requested the Union Education Minister for approving the proposal at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also sought additional fund for Mid-day-meal scheme.

He highlighted that due to COVID-19 pandemic situation in 2020-21, all schools of the state were closed from Mid-March, 2020 to December, 2020. As advised by the Ministry of Education, Food Security Allowances have been provided to all eligible children of government and government-aided Schools and Madrassas.