Minister acknowledges disparity, promises redressal

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

About 1500 Special Educators, who teach children with special needs, staged a one-day symbolic strike in Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on Wednesday, demanded a hike in their honorarium.

Later, Karnataka Minister for Women and Child Development, Empowerment of the Differently Abled and Senior Citizens Halappa Basappa Achar visited the Freedom Park and listened to the protestors’ concerns. He was accompanied by Latha Kumari (IAS), the in-charge Director of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

The minister expressed his displeasure over bringing the teachers to Bengaluru all the way from their hometowns. “You have neither met me, nor the Director of Child Protection, but directly taken up the strike,” he said. The special educators, however, reiterated that several appeals were made earlier.

"The government has increased the pay of Anganwadi and ASHA workers as well as that of the workers under the mid-day meal scheme. We accept that you (Special Educators) have been left out. I will speak to the Chief Minister and make a sincere attempt at getting you your due,” he said.

Teachers also said that grants have not been released for over three months now. To this, the minister promised that the funds would be released this week.

Teachers, support staff and officials from several schools for differently-abled children participated in the event. Some children with special needs had also accompanied their teachers who had arrived in the city from various cities and towns of Karnataka.