Hundreds of part-time teachers have been staging a sit-in protest at the Directorate of School Education in Chennai for the past week, demanding the implementation of the ruling DMK’s pre-poll promise to regularise their jobs.
Published Jan 14, 2026 | 8:26 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 14, 2026 | 8:26 PM
Kannan was a part-time teacher at the N Pudur Panchayat Union Middle School in Perambalur district.
Synopsis: A part-time physical education teacher employed by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department died on 14 January, a day after reportedly consuming a cleaning chemical. He was among hundreds taking part in an ongoing protest organised by the Part-Time Teachers’ Federation, demanding that the ruling DMK honour its pre-poll promise to regularise their jobs.
A part-time physical education teacher who had been protesting in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for the past seven days, demanding regularisation, died on Wednesday, 14 January, a day after allegedly attempting suicide.
The deceased, identified as Kannan, was a part-time teacher at the N Pudur Panchayat Union Middle School in the Veppathattai Union of Perambalur district.
He allegedly consumed a toilet-cleaning chemical on Tuesday and was rushed for treatment. He is survived by his wife and a son studying in Class 12. His body has been kept at the Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Kannan was among hundreds of part-time teachers participating in an ongoing agitation organised by the Part-Time Teachers’ Federation, demanding the implementation of the ruling DMK’s pre-poll promise to regularise part-time art, music and physical education instructors.
The demand dates back more than a decade. As many as 16,549 part-time teachers were appointed across Tamil Nadu in 2012 by the then AIADMK government.
From 8 January, between 1,000 and 1,500 teachers have been staging a sit-in and siege protest at the entrance of the Directorate of School Education in Chennai.
After seven continuous days of protest, representatives of the teachers held talks on 14 January with School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
Their sole demand is the implementation of the 181st promise in the DMK’s election manifesto, which assures the regularisation of part-time art, music and physical education teachers employed by the School Education Department.
“We placed our core demand of permanent employment before them. They said a decision could be taken only after obtaining legal advice,” said Khader Moideen, Salem district coordinator of the Part-Time Teachers’ Federation, who has been coordinating the protest, speaking to South First.
“They also cited a lack of funds from their side. Discussions were also held about converting part-time posts into full-time positions, but no conclusion was reached. Therefore, our protest will continue.”
Moideen also demanded compensation for Kannan’s family and said the protest would continue until justice is delivered.
“Kannan has been fighting for a long time. Over the past few days, he had been repeatedly saying in distress that we must do something that would force the government to take notice. Yesterday, unexpectedly, he consumed poison and passed away today. It has come as a shock to us,” he said.
“The government must provide compensation for Kannan’s death. Our protest will continue until justice is delivered to him as well.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
