Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Udupi : The Special Teachers and Non-teachers Association and Karnataka Sate Union of Service Institutions for the Differently Abled members have announced to organize a one-day symbolic strike on December 2  for demanding hike in the wages of the teachers as well as non-teaching staff of special schools for different abled.

Addressing a press meet at Udupi Press Club here on Tuesday, November 24, Dr. Kanthi Harish State President of Special Educators Okkotta said that the one day long symbolic strike will be held in front of the DC office at Manipal. The international day of persons with Disabilities which is held on December 3 also be boycotting by the Okkoota members all over the state, said Dr. Kanthi Harish.

She said since several years the special teachers are demanding their demands especially wage hike not been met. The salaries are being paid for special teachers of Rs. 13,500 which is very low. The Union government does not pay minimum wages to the special educators and non-teaching staff working for specially disabled members’ schools. Under the Child Care Subsidy project, as many as 141 special schools are getting government grants from disabled and senior citizen empowerment departments, she said.

In the year 2013-14 then chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaih was increased the salary of the teachers to Rs. 13,500 and for the non-teaching staff is Rs. 9000 per month. Since then, no governments of the state provided an increment in neither the salary nor any benefits from the government. Last year we were planned to boycott the international Disabilities Persons Day on December 3, but then president Leelavathi convinced us to not boycott the disabilities persons day. Hence, we withdrew the protest. But this year we are planned to boycott the same.

The Social and Differently Abled and Senior Citizens Empowerment Minister of the state Shashikala Jolley had met several occasions with our leaders. We convinced her regarding our problems. She agrees but not materialized. Shashikala is also the mother of special child and also running special schools in the state. Eventhough she understands our problem very well than others, she has shown her any interest in solving the problems we are facing, said Dr Kanthi Harish.

Dr Vasanth Kumar Shetty General Secretary of Special Teachers’ Okkoota said that there is not a single government school either Union government or state dedicated for the differently-abled people. All differently-abled schools run by non-government organizations’ (NGOs). More than 2000 to 2,500 special teachers and more than 4,000 to 5,000 non-teaching staff are working in these types of institutions. I would be very difficult in present situation of inflation in the country to survive in the society in average level, he said.

Agnes Kundar Honourary President, Reshma District President of Dakshina Kannada, Jaya Vijaya and others were present during the press meet.