Lower Primary School Teacher rank holders in Kerala are protesting outside the state secretariat to demand immediate job appointments [1].
The demonstration highlights systemic delays in government hiring and alleged irregularities in the public service examination process. For the candidates, the delay represents a loss of livelihood and professional stability after qualifying for state service.
Organized by the All Kerala Lower Primary School Teacher Rank Holders Association, the group has maintained an indefinite protest in Thiruvananthapuram [1]. The demonstration has lasted for more than 34 days [2]. As part of their agitation, some protesters have engaged in a hunger strike and the symbolic act of eating grass to draw attention to their plight [2].
The protesters are seeking appointments based on the rank list published in May 2025 [3]. They said there is a lack of transparency in the appointment process and are calling for immediate government action to fill vacancies [3].
Beyond immediate hiring, the association is demanding a revised teacher-student ratio. They are calling for a standard of one teacher per 25 students to improve educational quality [3]. The group said these changes are necessary to ensure both the welfare of the teachers, and the academic success of the pupils.
While the protest continues, the rank holders remain stationed outside the Kerala Secretariat, awaiting a formal response from state authorities [1]. The movement has sought to highlight the gap between the qualification of candidates and the actual deployment of staff in primary schools [2].
“The demonstration has lasted for more than 34 days.”
This protest underscores a recurring tension in Kerala's public sector employment, where candidates who pass rigorous Public Service Commission exams often face long waiting periods before receiving appointment orders. By demanding a specific 1:25 teacher-student ratio, the association is attempting to shift the conversation from simple employment to a broader policy debate regarding educational infrastructure and staffing standards in the state.
