In a shocking incident, a part time teacher, who attempted suicide by consuming poision, during the two-week long protests demanding wage regularisation,died last night.
The teacher, Kannan, who had consumed poison at the protest venue on Tuesday evening,
was rushed to the Government hospital, where he breathed his last.
The part time teachers have been protesting demanding wage regularisation for the several
days, leading to their detention on a daily basis and were released later.
However, their protests borne fruit with Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh
Poyyamozhi holding talks with them after which the government, headed by labour-friendly
DMK regime, agreeed to raise their wages from Rs 12,500 to Rs 15,000.
In a statement to the press, the Minister confirmed that the monthly remuneration for part
time teachers will be raised from Rs 12,500 to Rs 15,000.
Addressing ongoing concerns and demands from teachers, he acknowledged that educators
have been protesting for fair compensation for some time.
With this decision, part‑time teachers will also receive an additional Rs 10,000 for the monthof May, as agreed during recent talks with officials.
The Minister highlighted that for the past 12 years, part‑time educators have not been given the May bonus, a matter that sparked further dissatisfaction among teacher groups.
He said the government’s step to increase their salaries aims to recognise their contribution to education developmentn and support their livelihoods more effectively.
He also noted that while the state government has taken this decision, part of the challenge in meeting the teachers’ demands has been linked to delays in central funding.
He indicated that if funds from the union government were received on time unnder SSA
scheme to the tune of Rs 3,500 crores, the government would have been able to address
the teachers’ concerns even more swiftly.
Teacher associations welcomed the announcement as a positive move, calling it a step
towards better job security and dignity for part‑time educators statewide.
The pay hike is expected to ease their financial pressures who work on temporary or
hourly contracts in government schools.
This development comes amid broader discussions in the education sector about
improving working conditions and ensuring fair wages for all categories of teachers
in Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the main opposition AIADMK and its ally the BJP strongly condemned
the teacher’s suicide and blamed the DMK regime for this.
In a statement here, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition in the
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Edappadi K. Palaniswami, expressed his strongest
condemnation of the DMK government for driving a part-time teacher to death through
betrayal, apathy, and administrative cruelty.
Reacting to the tragic suicide of Mr. Kannan, a part-time teacher who consumed poison
while participating in a protest seeking regularisation of employment promised by the
DMK before coming to power, EPS said “The death of Mr. Kannan, who lived with the
hope that the DMK would honour its solemn election promise to regularise part time
teachers, is deeply shocking and heart-breaking. The sole responsibility for this tragic
loss rests with the incompetent DMK government, which has turned false promises
into death warrants.”
Mr EPS conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and fellow teachers,
stating that no words could compensate for the anguish caused by the government’s
betrayal.
Condemning the conduct of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, EPS said: “Without even a
concern for the death of a teacher who lost his life protesting for his rightful livelihood, he was busy asking for poems and ‘vibing’ on social media.
EPS demanded that the DMK government immediately provide Rs 50 lakh as
compensation to the family of the deceased Kannan, holding the state fully
accountable for this irreversible loss.
At the same time, EPS made a heartfelt appeal to teachers and protestors
saying “I earnestly request those participating in protests not to resort to
extreme measures.”
The AIADMK will continue to stand firmly with teachers and fight relentlessly
to secure justice and dignity for them.”
BJP former President of TN Annamalai also condemned it and demanded
adequated compensation to the deceased teacher’s family.