Teachers say they were unpaid and underpaid during the pandemic, forcing them to turn to other occupations to stay afloat.
Teachers from private and unaided schools across Karnataka arrived in Bengaluru on Wednesday to hold a protest demanding the state government pay their salaries. Teachers held a rally from Maurya Circle to Freedom Park in the city, to make the state government take notice. Teachers were seen pushing carts of fruits and vegetables symbolizing their plight, as many teachers did not receive their salaries or were poorly paid during the pandemic. The protest was spearheaded by the Karnataka Primary and Secondary School Associated Administrations.
“We made noodles and sold them [during the lockdown]We started making packages of dried fruits for sale, we sold vegetables and we tried to support ourselves. Some teachers even started working as domestic workers to stay afloat. The government gave everyone an aid package but ignored us, ”said Ranga Lakshmi, principal and teacher at Basaveshwara High School.
“Managing homes and our families became difficult. Not only did we have to pay the rent, but others were billing and providing for our children’s education as well. I had to take out loans to make ends meet, ”added Prasheela, a teacher at Trinity High School.
Teachers raised their demands while protesting. First, they asked that the vaccine be provided free of charge in the first phase of vaccination. They also required the government to issue a notice regarding the reopening of schools, enrollment, payment of fees, attendance, evaluation, and completion of revisions to the curriculum.
“We want the state government to provide free health insurance to teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as food kits,” said Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Associated Administrations of primary and secondary schools in Karnataka.
In addition to the teachers, even the management of private and non-subsidized schools is suffering. In recounting their problems, Trinity High School’s Rama Mani said they are struggling to pay off the loans and also had to pay taxes, despite little or no fees.
The protesters pointed out that another problem that may arise soon is a shortage of educators. There has been an increase in teacher outflow since the pandemic, as schools remained closed and the administration had exhausted its funds. “There will be a shortage of teachers after a while, as many have already left their jobs and promise never to return,” Lakshmi added.
Karnataka Interior Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Finance Minister R Ashok, on the orders of the Chief Minister, visited the protest site on Wednesday and assured the teachers that they will heed their demands and help them immediately. . They asked the teachers to call off the strike.
