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Rank holders on the Kerala Public Service Commission’s (PSC) list for appointment to lower primary schools ended a 13-day indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday, August 11, following talks with the government. The hunger strike was part of a 37-day-long protest organised by the All Kerala Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) PSC Rank Holders' Association.
S Valarmathi, the association secretary, broke her fast by accepting a drink of water from General Education Minister N Samsudheen. The government has sought 45 days to examine the protesters' demands. “I am happy that we were able to conclude the discussions on a positive note. The hunger strike has now been called off,” said Valarmathi after the meeting with the Minister.
The rank holders’ indefinite protest outside the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, demanded immediate appointment orders from the May 2025 Kerala PSC rank list. They also demanded extending the validity of the rank list, as many of the rank holders on the current list have not got jobs.
They also demanded a reduction in the teacher-student ratio from 1:30 to 1:25. Additionally, they demanded that the government fill Head Teacher Vacancy (HTV) posts in schools. In schools with more than 150 students, head teachers do not have to teach; instead, they can appoint another teacher to take their place, typically on a daily-wage basis.
The protesters further demanded that teacher appointments to aided schools be conducted through the PSC. Currently, the government pays teacher salaries in aided institutions while appointments are made by the school managements.
Minister N Shamsudheen told the media that reviewing some of the demands will require time. He stated, “Notifications and postings should align with the actual number of vacancies available. This rank list is valid for one-and-a-half years. A decision has been made to begin the procedures for further extending the validity of the list.”
On head teacher vacancy appointments, he said, “Some time has been requested to examine and decide on the matter. A study should also be conducted on what could happen when the teacher-student ratio reduces to 1:25. We have requested time for that as well,” he added.
The government has also assured the PSC rank holders that no one who has secured a job through the PSC rank list will lose it due to division fall, resulting from a drop in the number of students in a year.
