Pointing out that as 5,781 SGTs teachers are engaged in protests, classroom teaching is gravely affected, the minister said, "The three-member committee's report will be released soon. Based on that, a decision will be made regarding the salary issues faced by SGTs. Hence, I request SGTs to return to school and resume their teaching duties."

Following suit, the members of Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers' Association (SSTA) agreed to withdraw their protest in Chennai and from respective district headquarters.

Speaking to DT Next, S Velmurugan, state joint secretary, SSTA, said, "We decided to withdraw the protest only after the minister extended assurance. We anticipate that the committee report will be released and our demand for 'equal pay for equal work' will be met, as assured by DMK during its election campaigns."

Stating that the protest was withdrawn in good faith, he added, "Considering the educational welfare of the students and the health of SGTs, who have been protesting for a long time, we withdrew our protest. We assure the minister and the department that we will engage in teaching with greater dedication than before, whilst hoping our concerns are met," he added.