5K particular college employees working with out pay for final 9 months in Kerala

Express News Service

KOCHI: Despite the pronouncements to convey intellectually challenged individuals to the forefront of society, particular colleges within the state are in disaster, on account of the federal government’s lackadaisical angle in direction of assembly its monetary obligations.

Nearly 5,000-odd instructing and non-teaching employees of almost 300 particular colleges have been working with out pay for the final 9 months. Now, they’re threatening to hit the streets with protests if the scenario prolongs.

Susheela Kuriachan, president of the Association of Intellectually Disabled (AID), an umbrella organisation of particular colleges for the intellectually disabled, mentioned with authorities funds drying out, workers haven’t been paid since June 2022. “Of the `45 crore allotted for special schools in the 2022-23 budget, we are yet to receive any amount so far,” she mentioned.

There are round 300 particular colleges in Kerala. They are categorised into 4 grades: A, B, C and D (A-grade colleges have greater than 100 college students, with 50-99 college students in B; 25-49 college students in C; and fewer than 25 college students in D grade colleges). According to officers, the criterion of classification itself is unscientific. The colleges shall be given registration provided that there are 20 college students under 18 years.

Around 60 particular colleges, principally D grade ones, misplaced their registration as they fell brief on pupil numbers. This is an unscientific criterion. “There are schools that lost the registration after one or two students passed the age of 18,” mentioned Susheela. Moreover, in keeping with tips, the ratio between academics and college students ought to be 1:8, and 1:15 between non-teaching employees and college students. But, funds usually are not allotted primarily based on the rules, and only some academics get their pay. 

Jose Augustine, a father of an intellectually disabled individual and a campaigner for his or her rights, mentioned that even scholarships for intellectually disabled individuals usually are not given repeatedly. The revision within the standards for software has created problem. 

“Now, we need to submit a medical board certificate with a statement from a psychologist while applying for a scholarship. But only a few government hospitals have psychologists. Thus, these parents have to depend on private hospitals by paying Rs 1,000-2,000 a year for consultation. Not everyone can afford this,” he mentioned.

Jose mentioned many particular colleges have closed down. “If these children are sent to special schools, they can learn basic life skills and their parents can go to work. But many schools are being closed for reasons that are not clear yet,” he added.

KOCHI: Despite the pronouncements to convey intellectually challenged individuals to the forefront of society, particular colleges within the state are in disaster, on account of the federal government’s lackadaisical angle in direction of assembly its monetary obligations.

Nearly 5,000-odd instructing and non-teaching employees of almost 300 particular colleges have been working with out pay for the final 9 months. Now, they’re threatening to hit the streets with protests if the scenario prolongs.

Susheela Kuriachan, president of the Association of Intellectually Disabled (AID), an umbrella organisation of particular colleges for the intellectually disabled, mentioned with authorities funds drying out, workers haven’t been paid since June 2022. “Of the `45 crore allotted for special schools in the 2022-23 budget, we are yet to receive any amount so far,” she mentioned.googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

There are round 300 particular colleges in Kerala. They are categorised into 4 grades: A, B, C and D (A-grade colleges have greater than 100 college students, with 50-99 college students in B; 25-49 college students in C; and fewer than 25 college students in D grade colleges). According to officers, the criterion of classification itself is unscientific. The colleges shall be given registration provided that there are 20 college students under 18 years.

Around 60 particular colleges, principally D grade ones, misplaced their registration as they fell brief on pupil numbers. This is an unscientific criterion. “There are schools that lost the registration after one or two students passed the age of 18,” mentioned Susheela. Moreover, in keeping with tips, the ratio between academics and college students ought to be 1:8, and 1:15 between non-teaching employees and college students. But, funds usually are not allotted primarily based on the rules, and only some academics get their pay. 

Jose Augustine, a father of an intellectually disabled individual and a campaigner for his or her rights, mentioned that even scholarships for intellectually disabled individuals usually are not given repeatedly. The revision within the standards for software has created problem. 

“Now, we need to submit a medical board certificate with a statement from a psychologist while applying for a scholarship. But only a few government hospitals have psychologists. Thus, these parents have to depend on private hospitals by paying Rs 1,000-2,000 a year for consultation. Not everyone can afford this,” he mentioned.

Jose mentioned many particular colleges have closed down. “If these children are sent to special schools, they can learn basic life skills and their parents can go to work. But many schools are being closed for reasons that are not clear yet,” he added.