The Federation of Employees of Unaided Schools and Colleges of Karnataka has urged the State government to announce grant-in-aid for unaided schools that have been functioning since 1995.

Addressing a press conference in Shivamogga on Wednesday, federation State president G.C. Shivappa said Kannada-medium unaided schools, which have been providing education for over 30 years, were on the verge of closure due to financial difficulties. Many teachers who joined these institutions decades ago had already retired, yet the government had not acted on their long-pending demand for grant-in-aid. “I too retired from service last year, without any benefit for my long years of service,” he said.

Mr. Shivappa said the Chief Minister and the Education Minister had repeatedly promised grant-in-aid for such schools — both inside and outside the legislature — but no provision had been made in the budget.

Federation representatives demanded that the Minister clarify, without further delay, whether the government intended to release the grant or not, so that employees of these institutions could plan accordingly. They urged the State government to take a decision on the matter at the earliest Cabinet meeting.

Federation general secretary I.S. Horagina Math, district president Sadanand and others were present at the press conference.