Justin D’Silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Dec 2: The association of special school teachers held symbolic protests in front of the office of the deputy commissioner, here, responding to the call by the association for statewide protests urging a hike in their salaries.

President of the association, Dr Kanti Harish addressing the protesters said that they take care of special children like those of God. “We work to enlighten their lives, but our lives are covered in darkness now. We have submitted several appeals to the government but there has been no action. Shashikala Jolle, the current minister of empowerment of differently-abled and senior citizens also is a mother of a differently-abled child but our problems are not solved. We have been campaigning repeatedly for the last six years. We will not participate in the day of differently-abled on December 3. We should be paid at least the minimum salary mentioned in the guidelines of the centre,” he urged.

Asha Nilaya committee president, Jayaker Shetty Indrali said that he has seen the problems of special school teachers from close. “I had taken part in past protests also. The teachers work here really hard. Most of them are women. Nearly 16 such special schools are in Udupi. More than 600 people work in them. Ordinary teachers receive service security and other facilities from the government. Special school teachers receive none of them. 36 schools had received government grants in 1982, but the schools started after those were not paid any grants. There is a guideline of minimum salary to the workers. Labour officials are taking action if those are not followed. But the teachers here working so hard have no security. Chief minister Yediyurappa had arranged for payment of Rs 6,500 honorarium last time. The government of Siddaramaiah raised it to Rs 13,500. But it has not increased after that. The government should immediately respond to the demands of the special school teachers,” he said.

Karnataka Karmika Vedike president, Dr Ravi Shetty Byndoor said supporting the protests, that we are living in a democratic country. “We have to fight for our rights. The governments are into scams worth several crore and spending several more crore for their investigations. Our organization has protested in Bengaluru for 118 days. We will offer our complete support if all the 5,000 teachers among you are prepared to protest in Bengaluru. We are even prepared to gherao the residence of the chief minister and the minister.”

Meanwhile, protesters shouted slogans demanding a hike in their salaries.

Karnataka state special teaching and non-teaching staff association honorary president, Agnes Kumudar, secretary Jayavijaya Kumari, treasurer Pramila, Asare special school’s Jayavithal, Sadhana Kini, Manasa special school president, Henry D’Souza, treasurer, Simon D’Souza, Karunya organization trustees, Prabhaker Ammanna, Devaputra Kumar, Asha Nilaya committee secretary, Steven Karkada, 16 special school teachers, non-teaching staff and parents took part in the protests.