Around 1.4 lakh government primary school teachers (PST) have decided to boycott classes and go on an indefinite strike from September 3 demanding the fulfilment of various demands.

The Karnataka State Primary School Teachers’ Association has submitted a petition to the government in this regard and has given a deadline of August 27 for the fulfilment of their demands, failing which it has been decided to boycott classes 6 to 8.

Graduate primary teachers (GPT) are being recruited across the State from the academic year of 2016-17 to teach classes 6 to 8. Before 2016-17, the government had recruited over 1.4 lakh teachers to teach classes 1 to 7. Out of these, eligible graduate teachers were being promoted to the post of high school teachers.

But, after the recruitment of GPTs, the Cadre and Recruitment Rules (C&R rules) were amended in 2016-2017 and all teachers who were recruited for classes 1 to 7 before 2017 were demoted and designated as primary school teachers (PST) for classes 1 to 5 only.

The main reason for the teachers’ protest is that over 40,000 of these primary school teachers have graduated, but they have not been promoted as GPT since 2016-17.

Speaking to The Hindu, Chandrashekara Nugli, president of the Karnataka State Primary School Teachers’ Association, said: “A meeting was held with the Chief Minister on September 4, 2024 to discuss the problems of primary school teachers and fulfilment of their demands. The Chief Minister had promised to take a decision within a month after holding comprehensive consultations with the Minister for School Education and officials. However, even after a year, our demand has not been fulfilled.”

“The struggle has started at all taluk and district levels since August 12 to demand the fulfilment of our demands. If the demands are not met by August 27, classes will be boycotted and an indefinite strike will be held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru from September 3. The struggle will continue until the demands are met by celebrating Teachers’ Day at the protest site,” he added .

Meanwhile, a meeting was held, headed by Basavaraj Horatti, chairman of Legislative Council with Madhu Bangarappa, Minister of School Education, and MLCs belonging to teachers and graduates constituencies on Wednesday. The MLCs urged the Minister to promote PST teachers with degrees as GPT teachers.

Mr. Bangarappa said that action has already been taken on this issue and the opinion of the Law and the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) is being sought. “The Chief Minister also expressed his agreement on this. The promotion of PSTs will be discussed with the Chief Minister soon and an appropriate decision will be taken,” he added.