Bengaluru: It is rare for teachers to go on a protest on the road but thousands of teachers of private schools in Bengaluru stormed the streets as part of a massive protest under Karnataka Private Unaided School Managements, Teaching and Non Teaching Staff Coordination Committee (KPMTCC) on Tuesday.
It was a rare sight as thousands of teachers showed up from Anand Rao circle area and made their way to Freedom Park after gathering at the City Railway Station in Majestic Circle in Bengaluru.
In reaction to the order by the State Primary and Secondary Education Department directing school managements to reduce 30% school fee, teachers decided to protest. Renuka Rao, a teacher said, “If there is any section that has punched above its weight during and post lockdown it is the teaching fraternity. We worked for half the salary and many for a pittance. The government’s decision is unwarranted.”
Several school managements say that they would not be in a position to pay salaries if there is a reduction in fee. Raghavan, a principal said, “Firstly, many students have not paid the fee and there is still a huge backlog of fee of the previous academic year. The government should actually help the schools with financial aid.”
It may be noted that earlier this month a delegation called upon the Medical Health and Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar seeking grant from the government. Madhavan K, a school correspondent said, “The budget and private schools cater to the majority of the population and keep the education system running. The government instead of extending a helping hand is doing otherwise.”
SN Katarki, president of the Associated Managements of English Medium Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), said “Schools are like any other sector needs state investment.”
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