The Kerala government has sought 45 days to examine the demands of lower primary school teachers (LPST) rank holders, following talks with representatives of the All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association.The development comes as the association’s 13-day hunger strike ended, with secretary S Valarmathi saying the discussions with education minister N Samsudheen concluded on a positive note.Speaking to reporters, education minister N Samsudheen said the issue raised by the LPST rank holders protesting outside the Secretariat had been discussed in his office and that both sides had reached an understanding.“Both parties agreed. Based on this discussion, they temporarily withdrew their hunger strike. The government will take the necessary steps to resolve their grievances, and we want time to examine how to implement this,” he said.The latest escalation comes despite seven rounds of discussions between the government and representatives of the protest committee.Rank holder ends hunger strikeAll Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association secretary S Valarmathi ended her hunger strike outside the Kerala Secretariat on Tuesday following discussions with education minister N Samsudheen, with the government seeking 45 days to examine the protesters’ demands.Speaking after the talks, she said, “Today is the 37th day of the protest. It is also the 13th day of the hunger strike. I am very disappointed that the government delayed the talks for so many days. However, I am happy that today’s discussion with the government ended on a positive note.”
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Speaking further she announced that the protest will continue outside the Secretariat. “Although I have ended the hunger strike, the protest will continue in front of the Secretariat. However, there will be no slogan shouting or demonstrations as part of the protest,” Valarmathi said.Key demandsThe LPST rank holders have been protesting for over a month, demanding appointments from the Kerala Public Service Commission’s rank list for Lower Primary School Teacher posts, published in May 2025.They have also sought greater transparency in reporting vacancies and changes to the recruitment process.The protesters are seeking a reduction in the teacher-student ratio to 1:25, creation of additional teacher posts and the transfer of appointments in aided schools to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC). They argue that lowering the ratio would create more teaching posts and help facilitate appointments for rank holders.The government had also proposed a two-month salary concession if the protesters called off the agitation, but the proposal was rejected.
