KSTA, AKSTU to hold protests on June 30

On June 30, 2026, two prominent left-wing teacher unions in Kerala, the Kerala School Teachers’ Association (KSTA) and the All Kerala School Teachers’ Union (AKSTU), plan to conduct significant protests aimed at addressing issues related to the state's educational system. These demonstrations are set to take place simultaneously across multiple locations within the state, highlighting concerns over administrative policies affecting public education and the implementation of national-level initiatives.

The KSTA has announced plans for a "chain protest" involving teachers from all schools across Kerala. This form of protest is intended to demonstrate solidarity among educators and draw attention to their demands. One of the primary issues raised by the KSTA is the deployment of teachers for Census duties. They argue that this assignment disrupts regular teaching schedules and negatively impacts students' learning experiences. To mitigate this issue, the union is requesting that these teachers be granted time off and temporarily replaced by individuals willing to work on a daily wage basis. Additionally, the KSTA insists that any teacher transfers previously halted due to Census responsibilities should be carried out without delay.

In contrast, the AKSTU has opted for a more structured approach with its planned convention on secular education. Scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the Ayyankali Hall in the state capital, this event serves as both a platform for discussion and a continuation of ongoing protests against the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Rejuvenation of Infrastructure in Schools (PM SHRI). The convention will be inaugurated by Binoy Viswam, the State secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), underscoring the political alignment behind the opposition to PM SHRI.

The AKSTU views the PM SHRI initiative not merely as a developmental program for schools but as a strategic move by the Sangh Parivar—a collective term referring to organizations associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—to implement the National Education Policy. This perspective reflects broader ideological conflicts regarding the direction of India's educational reforms, particularly concerning curriculum content, language of instruction, and governance structures within educational institutions.

These protests come amid growing tensions between various stakeholders in the Indian education sector. While the government promotes PM SHRI as a means to enhance infrastructure and resources in schools, critics argue that such initiatives could lead to increased centralization of control over educational policies. The involvement of the CPI and other leftist groups indicates a deepening divide between progressive and conservative factions regarding the future trajectory of education policy in India.

As the day of the protests approaches, anticipation builds around how these demonstrations might unfold. With the KSTA focusing on immediate operational concerns within the schooling system and the AKSTU engaging in a broader discourse about educational philosophy and policy, the events of June 30 are poised to highlight contrasting viewpoints on the role of education in shaping societal values and national identity. The outcomes of these protests could influence subsequent discussions and decisions regarding the management and reform of India's educational landscape.