Kalpetta: An eight-day indefinite hunger strike by mentor teachers in Wayanad ended on Friday after successful talks with Kerala’s Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Development Minister, K.A. Thulasi. The breakthrough brought temporary relief to hundreds of teachers protesting against the government’s recruitment policy.
Minister Holds Talks With Protesters
The mentor teachers had been protesting in front of the Wayanad Collectorate, demanding the continuation of their appointments. The strike ended after the minister assured the teachers that the government would consider their concerns and continue discussions on the issue.
Why the Teachers Protested
The protest began after the Kerala government invited fresh applications for mentor teacher posts under revised recruitment guidelines. Existing mentor teachers feared they would lose their jobs despite serving tribal students for several years.
The teachers argued that they had worked in schools for nearly nine years and deserved continuity in service. They demanded that the government protect their jobs while implementing any new recruitment process.
Mentor Teacher Scheme Supports Tribal Students
The mentor teacher scheme started in 2017 under the Gothra Bandhu project. It aims to help tribal children overcome language and learning barriers by appointing teachers from tribal communities in government schools.
The government recently revised the recruitment rules to provide better representation for the most marginalised tribal communities in Wayanad. However, the changes sparked protests from existing mentor teachers who feared losing their positions.
Government Assures Further Discussions
Following the minister’s intervention, the teachers agreed to end their hunger strike. The government has assured them that discussions will continue to find a solution that protects both the interests of tribal students and the concerns of existing mentor teachers.
The issue remains significant as the mentor teacher programme plays an important role in improving education among tribal communities in Wayanad and other tribal regions of Kerala.