Mangaluru, May 14: Former syndicate member of Mangalore University Dr S R Harish Acharya expressed dissatisfaction over neglecting the problems faced by the teachers across Dakshina Kannada district and other nearby districts. He also announced his candidacy for the election of teachers' representatives.
Addressing media persons on Tuesday, May 14 at Hotel Ocean Pearl. Dr S R Harish Acharya said, "The teachers representatives' elections will be held on June 3 and usually by this time all the prominent parties will declare their candidates but in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Chikkamangaluru and many other districts where both students and teachers are in huge numbers even in terms of SSLC results the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have always performed well the role of teachers is important. Also, teachers with specialisation teachers are essential and yet no national party has declared their candidates. They have completed neglected the Dakshina Kannada district. There are multiple problems in the teaching sector today and if we win we will look into solving these critical issues."
He further added that, "Today elections have become such that people vote for money, alcohol and other goodies causing real problems for dedicated teachers. I have consulted many teachers and found about their problems. We notice that teachers are unable to express their feelings freely and whenever they get into a problem we see them running from one minister to another seeking help and still no one cares for them. This attitude should be changed. Around 60% of the teachers work in the private sector and the government has done nothing regarding their job security or for that matter paying them a good salary. There are 20% of guest lecturers in high schools and 40% in PU colleges out of which 60% of them work in government colleges. Yet they do not get proper salary, leave or maternity leave benefits."
"Our leaders have not concentrated on NPS even after seeing success in popularising primary education in villages. The PF contribution problems confuses everyone and hence we ask the government to pay towards the PF contribution to teachers. The government PU and high schools teachers are a neglected lot as they get paid less. No representatives in the past have looked into this matter. Once a college or a school is started by the government they should appoint a principal or headmaster for the institute. Every year teachers work and still they do not get proper holidays and no one cares for such problems. The government is not creating opportunities for students to study B.Ed, arts and crafts and physical education teachers are not being appointed. There is a delay in disbursement of salaries to guest lecturers and even in announcing the results. There is no one to take up these issues to the authorities. Hence I have decided to contest the upcoming elections. On May 15 I will be submitting my nomination papers," he said.
On this occasion, Dr.Raj Mohan, principal, Govindas College, Surathkal along with Jyothi Rai, Nithin and others were present.