SFI Marches to Wayanad Collectorate Over Dismissal of Tribal Mentor Teachers

Kalpetta: The Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest march to the Wayanad Collectorate on Monday, demanding the immediate reversal of the UDF government's decision to dismiss tribal mentor teachers who had been instrumental in preventing dropout among Adivasi students.

The march, which began from Abhimanyu Student Centre — the SFI district committee office — was stopped by police before it could reach the Collectorate. Undeterred, protesters climbed over police barricades, raising slogans that the scheme which had played a decisive role in ensuring education and employment in backward regions would not be allowed to be dismantled.

The UDF government dismissed 326 tribal mentor teachers appointed by the LDF government within days of assuming office. Of these, 241 were from Wayanad district alone.

SFI alleged that the move amounts to denying Adivasi students the right to learn in their own language, and accused the government of endangering the future of hundreds of tribal children. "The government is directly challenging the educational prospects of Adivasi students," the organisation said.

The protest march was inaugurated by SFI Central Committee member Sandra Raveendran. District President Aparna Gowri presided over the event. District Secretary M S Aadarsh, Abin Babu, and Mohammed Shibli also addressed the gathering.