BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday directed Education Department officials to take steps to implement the Government's new education policy.

Speaking at the inauguration of a State-level convention organised by the Karnataka State Primary School Teachers' Association and the High School Teachers' Association, the Chief Minister said Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education T.M. Vijaybhaskar, Commissioner of Public Instruction M. Madan Gopal and State Planning Director of Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan Raj Kumar Khatri would discuss the new policy and initiate measures to implement it at the earliest.

Asserting that he would not tolerate political interference in the functioning of the Education Department, Mr. Kumaraswamy assured the teachers that all their demands would be fulfilled within six months. "Your demands will be met and you will get the benefits from this academic year itself," he said.

He said the Government had decided to grant a special ex gratia allowance of Rs. 200 to all evaluators from primary and secondary schools and pre-university colleges. "We decided on it even though it will be an additional burden of Rs. 25 crore on the State exchequer. We are committed to providing you with all benefits, but we also want you to ensure that you perform your duties to the best of your ability without succumbing to any kind of pressure," he said.

"You teachers have a vital role to play in taking the State forward because you have the responsibility of moulding tomorrow's citizens. Train your students in such a way that they can cope with the growing competition to meet global challenges. I appeal to you all not to leave the school during working hours," he said.

Promises to curb graft

Responding to the teachers' plea to check corruption in the offices of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction and the Block Education Officer, the Chief Minister promised that it would be done.

Earlier, members of various teacher's associations submitted separate memorandums to the Chief Minister seeking redressal of their grievances.

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