Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Sep 4: The MLCs elected under teachers constituency will be on an indefinite hunger strike starting Wednesday, September 6, against the state governments neglecting policy in the educational field.
Addressing media persons, capt Ganesh Karnik, MLC and opposition leader of upper house said, "Six MLCs of JDS and one from Congress will sit with us for the strike. Every year we can see a small group of teachers sitting in front of Vidhan Sauda for strike. But it always ends with a submission of memorandum to the officials or government. We have decided that this time we will sit on a hunger strike on behalf of them. It will be an indefinite one. So teachers not to bunk the classes or come strike from far. "
"There are thousands of vacancies in government schools and colleges. The state cabinet has already given permission to fill them. But the rules and regulations by the department have become hurdles for the management to get these posts filled. The current ratio of students and teachers is 1:70. This decreases the quality of education and puts unwanted pressure on teachers. At the same time, education department follows a double standard policy on government and aided schools. The aided and non aided private schools are not getting facilities like uniforms, discount in fee for girl students, and scholarships. In 2006 the government put a stay on the appointments of principals in degree colleges. So now, up to 95 percent colleges do not have principals, and the incharge principals are looking after the administration. This is leading to unprofessionalism in colleges and many colleges suffer by this. There are some aided managements asking high deposits for the posts.
"Government already knows these things but does nothing to find a solution or fulfill the demands of teachers. With this hunger strike we all together demanding that the government solves the issues as soon as possible. We will fight for the teachers and and the betterment of education system," he added.