Talks fail to break deadlock, teachers continue stir

As the protesters refused to disperse from Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, government authorities on Thursday morning held a discussion with the teachers. But it failed to provide any solution to the on-going hunger strike.

The protesting teachers, handling classes 9 and 10, said that they would not leave the venue until the government brought an amicable solution to their issues. Security has been beefed up near the protest venue. Additional security forces were also deployed on the DPI campus after the agitators tried to enter the campus on Monday. In addition, ambulances were also stationed near the stadium to attend to anyone falling sick.

Secretary of the teachers’ association K Robert said that the members were getting lower salary compared to their counterparts handling same classes in the same school. “We have waited long.

The officials are lethargic in handling the issue. We will not compromise with the government,” he added. He pointed out that the teachers who had been appointed before and after June 2009 were of two different pay scales. “Teachers appointed before May 31, 2009, are receiving Rs 11,300 while others who were appointed after June 1 receive only Rs 7,400 a month,” he said.

Stating that the anomalies should be rectified, the association secretary said that more than 20,000 teachers receive about Rs 3,000 less even though they were better qualified, including clearing Teacher’s Eligibility Test. “Despite promises made by the government that it would constitute a one-man commission, the authorities did not look into the issues,” he added.