Teachers threaten to go on hunger strike

The Karnataka State High School Assistant Masters Association has demanded that the State government address several pending demands of the teachers.

Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, H K Manjunath, President of the association, said they have decided to go on a hunger protest on Martyrs Day, January 30, urging the government to consider their demands. More than 5,000 teachers are expected to take part in it. The association has threatened that the teachers would boycott SSLC valuation for 2016 if the government failed to take this into consideration.

The Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar had met teachers, who are part of the association, in January and later again in August this year. He had assured that he would address their concerns at the earliest. However, no action has been taken in this regard, said Manjunath.

The teachers have placed several demands pertaining to their salary hikes, arrears and promotions.