General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has appealed to specialist teachers protesting outside Samagra Shiksha, Kerala (SSK) to call off their agitation.
The minister said in a statement that the honorarium of the specialist teachers in arts, physical education and work experience was shared on 60:40 basis between the central government and the state. However, the Center reduced the honorarium to Rs 6,000 with work for three days a week. The state share was ₹4,000, out of a total of ₹10,000.
After talks between the protesting teachers and the minister, it was decided to increase the honorarium to ₹12,000, though the central share was not hiked. The minister had promised that the dues from September last year would be cleared. He said that the demand for posting of specialist teachers in block resource centers near SSK would also be accepted.
He also said that steps would be taken to get their full time appointment, equal honorarium and assistance from the central government. The Principal Secretary, General Education will also be tasked to submit a report on all the issues faced by the specialist teachers.
However, instead of withdrawing the protest on the assurance of the minister, a section of specialist teachers continued with the protest. They should understand the limits of the government and call off the agitation, the minister appealed in the statement.