Latest news with #VeerannaMadivalar
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka headmaster walks 15 km barefoot for classrooms, gets suspended: Report
A government school headmaster in Karnataka's Belagavi has been suspended after staging a barefoot protest demanding proper classrooms for his students, many of whom are forced to study under open skies due to poor infrastructure, Indian Express reported. Veeranna Madivalar, the headmaster of Government Lower Primary School in Nidagundi village walked 15 km barefoot last week to the Block Education Office in Raibag taluk. He also observed a hunger strike, urging authorities to act on a long-pending request to construct classrooms for the 146 students enrolled in his school, the report added. (Also Read: BMTC driver tries to run over woman during roadside argument in Bengaluru, video goes viral) Despite the school being sanctioned three classrooms nearly three years ago during former education commissioner Anbukumar's tenure, construction has not yet begun. In the absence of proper infrastructure, children have been attending classes outdoors. Madivalar, an award-winning educator who has been recognised both at the district and international level, said he resorted to a silent protest as a 'self-imposed punishment' after repeated appeals to authorities went unheard. 'This was never an agitation against the government. I only wanted a basic learning environment for the children,' he told reporters. 'Every award I've received has been used to support my students. No child should have to study under the sun or in the rain.' However, officials did not take kindly to his methods. Days after the protest, the Block Education Officer (BEO) of Raibag taluk, Basavarajappa R, issued a suspension order, citing misconduct and violation of service rules. According to the order, Madivalar's protest was seen as an act of defiance against the department, causing 'embarrassment to the government' and breaching the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021. The order specifically invoked Rule 9(ii), which prohibits government employees from organising or participating in strikes. 'The headmaster should have pursued official channels through written communication, not protested publicly and involved the media,' the BEO said, also noting that the protest attracted social media attention and adverse publicity. The suspension has drawn strong criticism from education activists, parents, and local residents, who say it is unjust to penalise a teacher for highlighting the failure to provide basic infrastructure. While the Tahsildar of Raibag had assured Madivalar during the protest that the matter would be taken up with senior officials, there has been no update on the classroom construction or reversal of the suspension order, the report further added. (Also Read: ' ₹2.7 lakh for 3 BHK?': Bengaluru resident calls out sky-high rent, internet reacts)
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka headmaster suspended after demanding basic classroom facilities for his students
A government school headmaster in Karnataka has been suspended after he protested seeking a classroom for the 146 students of his school who have no choice but to study outdoors. Veeranna Madivalar, Headmaster, Government Lower Primary School, in Nidagundi village under Belagavi district, was recently suspended by education authorities following his 15-kilometre silent protest march and hunger strike last Tuesday. The award-winning educator walked barefoot to the Block Education Office in Raibag taluk, seeking approval for classroom construction. The lack of a classroom has forced children to study under the scorching sun and monsoon rain. Despite three classrooms being approved nearly three years ago during former education commissioner Anbukumar's tenure, the construction has not commenced. Speaking to the media, Madivalar said, 'I am a government servant who has always upheld government dignity. I've received district-level best teacher awards and international recognition, spending all prize money on student welfare.' 'No child should endure the harsh sun, rain, or wind while learning. When repeated appeals went unheard, I punished myself through silent protest – not against the government, but for the children,' he added. The headmaster had ended his demonstration after Raibag Tahsildar Suresh Munje assured him that the matter would be taken up with higher authorities. However, education officials viewed his actions as misconduct, violating service rules. In the suspension order, Basavarajappa R, Block Education Officer, Raibag, stated: 'As headmaster, you protested against the department, causing embarrassment to both the department and the government. Regardless of demands, you should have followed protocol by submitting respectful written requests instead of publicly challenging the system.' The BEO cited violations of Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, specifically clause 9(ii), prohibiting government employees from organising strikes. Officials also noted that media coverage and social media posts about the protest brought disrepute to the department. The suspension has sparked widespread concern among local communities and education activists, who argued that punishing an educator for advocating basic school infrastructure was a grave injustice.
