Keralam Lower Primary teacher rankholders begin ‘fast until death’ over govt’s unfulfilled promises

All Kerala Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) Rank Holders’ Association secretary Valarmathi S shaved her head and began a fast-until-death strike after the government allegedly failed to meet the association’s demands, the New Indian Express reported.

During a meeting with the education minister on September 30, the officials promised to issue an order accepting their demands once the protests were withdrawn, Valarmathi S said in the report. 

However, she alleged that the authorities later refused to provide written assurances, insisting that the protesters call off their agitation, the report read.

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LPST Rank Holders' Association raise four demands

The LPST Rank Holders’ Association raised four demands. First was to reduce the student-teacher ratio to 1:25, second was to include Head Teacher Vacancy (HTV) under the PSC’s umbrella, third to extend their rank list’s validity, and fourth to postpone issuing the new notification, the report said.

“The primary requirement is to reduce the student-teacher ratio, without which no more appointments can be done,” a protester said in the report.

“Though the government sought 45 days, we were called for another discussion. While the minister agreed to all our demands, he refused to give it in writing, and insisted us to step back from the protests. The same authorities who told us that many of our decisions are impractical due to the financial crisis agreed to make appointments in aided schools. Won’t that cause a bigger financial crisis?” Valarmathi said in the report.

She had also shared a video stating that the Kerala police refused to let the association set up a canopy as protesters taking part in the hunger strike were sitting in the rain, the report added.