Four-day teachers’ stir ends after TN govt’s assurance

The teachers, who had come from various parts of the state, were protesting since Monday. A significant number of protesters were woman teachers, who came along with their kids for the agitation. The prime demand was equal pay among the teachers. 

The protesters claimed that the newly-appointed teachers got only about Rs 8,000 per month, as against the earlier fixation of Rs 11,000. They also demanded the implementation of the latest pay commission recommendations. 

The four-day protest was staged in several places in the city, including DPI complex in Nungambakkam and Rajarathinam stadium in Egmore. 

According to sources, as many as 30 women teachers and two of their male counterparts fainted during the hunger stir. They were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals. Many teachers were arrested on Monday, the first day of their protest, when they tried to march into the DPI complex. 

Although state education minister KA Sengottaiyan on Wednesday appealed the teachers to end their strike, the protesters refused to pay heed and continued with the stir. However, talks were held on Thursday between the minister and a few representatives of the teacher’s forum, which eventually paved the way for the withdrawal of the strike. During the meeting, the minister assured that a one-man committee would immediately look into their grievances.