Kerala Teacher Recruitment Row: CJP Joins 123-Day LPST Rank Holders’ Protest

The protest by Kerala's Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders intensified on Thursday, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) South India in-charge Vijay Reddy Mallangi joining a 12-hour hunger strike outside the Kerala Secretariat, demanding immediate appointments to government schools.

Mallangi, accompanied by other CJP activists, accused the V D Satheesan-led UDF government of failing to honour its earlier assurance that the recruitment issue would be resolved within 24 hours of coming to power. He alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment in government and aided schools and demanded a uniform recruitment process through the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC).

The agitation, which has entered its 123rd day, is being led by Action Council secretary and protest convenor Valarmathi, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for about a week. She tonsured her head on October 26 to intensify the protest, demanding appointment orders for eligible candidates before the existing PSC rank list expires.

The rank holders are seeking a reduction in the teacher-student ratio to 1:25, recruitment to aided-school teaching posts through the PSC, an end to alleged cash-for-job practices and appointments against eligible vacancies.

However, Chief Minister Satheesan said on Wednesday that the government could not accept the proposed teacher-student ratio change due to financial constraints. Education Minister P Samsudheen had earlier held discussions with the protesters, but they failed to reach a settlement. The government had also proposed a 45-day period for officials to examine their demands.

Valarmathi and other protesters have refused to withdraw the agitation without formal government orders, leaving the recruitment dispute unresolved.