New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Studies in Navodaya vidyalayas

have been affected across the country following teaching and non-teaching staff going on an indefinite strike demanding special allowances and time-bound promotions. The strike has also raised uncertainty over the selection test for admission to class VI on February 10 slated to be attended by 25 lakh students. "We had served notice to the management about the strike last December and it is up to them now. We would be boycotting the selection test," said general secretary of All India Navodaya Vidyalaya Staff Association L B Reddy, adding, "Students are being sent back homes." About 15,000 employees working in 350 schools are participating in the strike responding to the call of the Joint Action Committee of teaching, non-teaching staff and principals. The demand include time-bound resolution of "long-pending problems" like the grant of pension, 10 per cent special allowance to the non-teaching staff and modified assured career progression scheme to teaching staff. The agitating lot are also demanding promoting the "deserved staff on fast-track", creating PGT posts in regional languages, recognising associations, etc said a statement issued by the association. "The staff feel bitter as their self-sacrificing services invite more and more back-breaking work but hardly win any recognition," Reddy maintained. He lamented that the management has not devised a scientific transfer policy which has resulted in frustration for thousand of teachers who have been condemned to work in far off places for years. He alleged the management of flouting promotion policy thereby deprived thousands of in-service staff of promotional avenues.