Parents, Teachers on Hunger Strike against Fee Hikes
For harried parents and teachers of private schools, Anna Hazare's success in forcing
the Union government to take up the Lokpal Bill seems to have provided a glimmer
of hope in fighting the might of big educational institutions. 30 parents and teachers
and activists went on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad
Maidan from Wednesday protesting against the arbitrary fee hikes by private
schools. They also demanded payment of teachers' salaries as per the Sixth Pay Commission.
Over 350 teachers and several parents from across the state assembled at Azad Maidan
on Wednesday to show their support.
Education officials met the protesters and asked the protesters call off their stir
and to meet the education minister. "We only want to meet the CM. We need an assurance
that the Fee Regulation Act will be passed in the current assembly session," said
Jayant Jain, president of Forum for Fairness in Education, an organization that
is supporting this cause.
