A day after the Karnataka government rolled out a suspension order against a government school teacher who protested for classrooms for students in his school, the teaching community has joined hands to condemn the state’s action against him.
The teacher of Karnataka Government Higher Primary School, Nidagundi of Chikkodi district, staged a protest this week over the poor infrastructure in his school. Following this, the Department of School Education and Literacy issued a suspension order against him.
While the school’s management had requested the state to release funds for construction of four classrooms on campus, sanction was made only for two forcing children to study in deplorable conditions.
Condemning this, associations of government and private teachers alike have condemned his suspension citing that he was only working in the best interests of the students.
Chandru Nugli, general secretary, Karnataka State School Teachers’ Association said that the government must immediately revoke his suspension order. “The association has discussed this issue with the deputy director of public instruction and has expressed its displeasure. Action against such teachers who fight in the interest of children is condemnable. His suspension must be revoked immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile , D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, said, “Suppressing the voice of a teacher who has gone beyond his routine duty and taken such care towards the interest of children is condemnable. This is not a welcome trend. Teachers do not just have a role inside the classroom but also care for the wellbeing of children,” he said.
“The teacher, driven by a strong sense of ethics and responsibility, sought nothing but a conducive learning environment for his students — a basic necessity for effective teaching and learning. His voice represents not only his personal dedication but also echoes the sentiments of lakhs of committed teachers across Karnataka, including teacher association leaders, who silently shoulder the burden of declining resources and increasing expectations. Many among our teaching fraternity have similar concerns — regarding infrastructure, quality of education, and systemic accountability — but remain silent due to constraints such as the prevailing Model Code of Conduct or fear of disciplinary consequences. This silence, however, should not be mistaken for complacency. It is a silence born of helplessness and administrative limitations,” KAMS said in a statement.
Meanwhile, it can be recollected that this is the second suspension of a government teacher over condemnation of the government this month. On May 22, a government school teacher who via a social media post, sought to know the reason for giving out freebies while the state’s treasury is under losses, was also suspended.
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