By Tripura24 News Desk | Agartala Thursday, January 29, 2026
AGARTALA: In a decisive move to secure their professional future, the All Tripura Computer Sikshak Sangha (ATCSS), representing ICT computer teachers across the state, submitted a mass deputation to the state education authorities today. The teachers, who have been the backbone of digital literacy in government schools, gathered in the capital to highlight the growing uncertainty surrounding their service extension and working conditions.
The Core Crisis: End of Contract Looming
The primary catalyst for today’s protest is the fast-approaching deadline of March 31, 2026. Most computer teachers were recruited under the ICT project with contracts set to expire this year. The Sangha leaders expressed deep concern that without an immediate policy for service extension or retention, hundreds of qualified teachers will be rendered jobless, and the state’s computer education system will collapse.
Key Demands Placed in the Deputation:
The delegation, led by State President Bhabesh Chakraborty and spokesperson Subhankar Roy, presented a multi-point charter of demands:
- Service Regularization: The association demanded that the state government move away from the “third-party” or “agency-based” recruitment model and bring all computer teachers directly under the State Education Department.
- Compulsory Subject Status: They urged the government to make Computer Science a compulsory subject from Class VII to XII to ensure the sustainability of the ICT project.
- Pay Parity: Highlighting the “Equal Pay for Equal Work” principle, the teachers pointed out that their current monthly salary (approx. ₹10,000) is insufficient to sustain a family, especially when they perform duties similar to regular subject teachers.
- Direct Management: A demand was made to stop outsourcing computer education to private companies and instead manage it under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) or a similar government scheme.
Leadership Voice
Speaking to Tripura24.in outside the Shiksha Bhavan, President Bhabesh Chakraborty noted that other states like Assam, Punjab, and Haryana have already initiated steps to secure the future of their ICT teachers.
“Computer education is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Our teachers have worked tirelessly for years, often in remote areas. We are not just asking for jobs; we are asking for the dignity of our profession and the future of our students. We urge Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha to intervene personally,” Chakraborty stated.
Response and Future Course of Action
The education officials who received the deputation reportedly assured the delegation that the matter is “under active consideration” by the government. However, the Sangha has warned that if a concrete notification regarding their service extension is not issued within the next few weeks, they will be forced to launch a state-wide democratic movement, including a sit-in protest in the heart of the capital.
The rally, which began at the Agartala Press Club, saw participation from hundreds of teachers from all eight districts, many carrying placards that read “Direct Recruitment, Not Outsourcing” and “Save ICT Teachers, Save Digital Tripura.”
