Maharashtra Class 10 students begin indefinite protest over teacher shortage

With their Class 10 board examinations approaching, students of a Zilla Parishad Secondary School in Sonari village of Maharashtra's Dharashiv district have stepped out of their classrooms and onto the streets. On Friday, they launched an indefinite sit-in protest outside the office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zilla Parishad, demanding the immediate appointment of regular secondary school teachers.Joined by parents, teachers and local villagers, the students said they had no option left after waiting for years for the vacancies to be filled.FOUR YEARS, SAME DEMANDAccording to the protesters, several teaching and staff positions at the school have remained vacant for nearly four years. They alleged that repeated representations to the administration failed to bring any concrete action.The students have strongly opposed the practice of assigning primary school teachers to handle secondary classes, arguing that board exam students require subject specialists. They insisted that qualified secondary school teachers should be appointed instead of temporary arrangements. The protest follows another demonstration a day earlier, when villagers locked the Zilla Parishad Secondary School in Sonari, located in Paranda taluka, to draw attention to the continuing shortage of teachers. Residents said the lack of staff has disrupted studies and created uncertainty for students preparing for their Class 10 examinations.PLACARDS, SLOGANS AND A CLEAR MESSAGEHolding placards and raising slogans, the students questioned the government's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign, saying, "You saved the girl child, but now provide teachers so she can study." Many also invoked Dr B R Ambedkar's message of "Educate, Organise and Agitate," saying they were now being forced to fight for what they described as their basic right to quality education.The students, along with parents and villagers, have vowed to continue the sit-in until regular secondary teachers and other vacant staff posts are filled.NO STEP BACK UNTIL ACTIONThe protesters said they had already submitted written representations to the Chief Executive Officer, Education Officer, District Collector and Superintendent of Police on July 28, but claimed no effective action followed.They have now made it clear that the protest will continue until the administration announces concrete measures to fill the vacancies. With board examinations drawing closer, the students say they are not asking for special treatment, only enough qualified teachers to complete their education.- EndsPublished By: Princy ShuklaPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 14:45 IST