The protest by secondary grade teachers in Chennai demanding 'equal pay for equal work' has now stretched into its 22nd day. On Friday, discussions with school education department officials failed to produce any results, leaving the teachers frustrated and determined to continue their agitation.
Children Join the Protest with Placards
Members of the Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers' Association (SSTA) brought their children to the protest site. The young ones held up placards clearly stating their parents' demands for fair wages. Police officials eventually stepped in and removed the protesting teachers from the area.
Officials Cite Busy Schedules, No Decision Yet
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, SSTA members expressed hope for a positive outcome from their talks with education authorities. However, Vel Murugan, the deputy state head of SSTA, revealed a different story. He stated that no decision had been reached.
"The minister is currently occupied with jallikattu events, and many officials are on leave," Murugan explained. "We have no choice but to continue our protest until we see a concrete resolution to our demands."
The Core Issue: A Significant Pay Anomaly
The teachers are protesting a specific pay discrepancy. Those appointed after June 1, 2009, receive a basic pay that is ₹3,170 less than their colleagues who joined before that date. Over time, this gap has widened significantly, now exceeding ₹8,000.
Part-Time Teachers Also Dissatisfied
In a related development, part-time teachers recruited under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have voiced their own discontent. The government announced a ₹2,500 increase in their monthly salary on Wednesday. However, these teachers have stated that this hike is insufficient, and they plan to continue their separate protest.
The situation in Chennai highlights ongoing tensions in the education sector over wage parity and fair compensation for teaching staff.
