The Kerala education school strike 2025 has caught the attention of students, parents, and educators across the state. With thousands of schools impacted, both government and aided, the ongoing protest by teachers and school staff has created significant disruptions in the academic calendar. In this blog, we cover the full story of the Kerala school strike 2025, including reasons, impacts, and the latest government response.
Why Did the Kerala School Strike 2025 Start?
The Kerala school strike began in early June 2025 when teaching and non-teaching staff across the state launched a state-wide protest against the Kerala government’s new policies affecting the education sector. The main reasons behind the strike include:
- Salary Delay & Arrears: Teachers claim that their salaries and arrears have been delayed for several months.
- Staff Shortage: Many schools are operating without enough staff, burdening existing teachers.
- Pension Issues: Retired teachers are protesting delays in pension disbursement.
- Curriculum & Policy Changes: The new changes in the school syllabus and digital evaluation methods were introduced without proper training.
- Transfer & Promotion Policies: Educators are unhappy with the lack of transparency in transfer and promotion rules.
The Kerala school teachers strike 2025 is being led by multiple teacher unions, including the Kerala School Teachers Association (KSTA), Higher Secondary Teachers’ Union, and Aided School Protection Front.
Number of Schools Affected
As of June 23, 2025, over 5,000 government and aided schools across Kerala have either been completely shut down or partially functioning. According to the Kerala Education Department, nearly 30 lakh students have been affected due to the strike.
The most impacted districts include:
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Kollam
- Ernakulam
- Malappuram
- Kozhikode
Private schools in Kerala have not joined the strike but are facing secondary disruptions due to transportation issues and media panic.
Government’s Response to the Strike
The Kerala government has appealed for calm and urged the teachers to resume classes. On June 20, 2025, the Education Minister of Kerala held a press conference stating that the government is ready for discussions but won’t be pressured by strikes.
However, as per the latest Kerala school strike update, talks between the government and teacher unions held on June 22nd ended without resolution. The Education Minister, Dr. V. Sivadasan, stated:
“We respect the contribution of teachers, but the financial limitations of the state must also be considered. We are working on a phased solution.”
Still, the teachers’ associations have refused to back down until their primary demands are met.
Impact on Students and Parents
The school strike in Kerala 2025 has left many students anxious and confused. Several schools have postponed internal assessments and preparatory exams. Parents are also concerned about the academic loss, especially for students appearing for SSLC and Plus Two board exams.
Key impacts include:
- Missed Classes: Over 15 days of instruction have already been lost.
- Mental Stress: Students preparing for exams are under psychological pressure.
- Online Learning Gap: Not all schools have been able to switch to online platforms due to resource gaps.
- Parent Protests: Several parent-teacher associations have requested urgent intervention from the Chief Minister.
What Are the Demands of the Teachers?
Here’s a list of the key demands made by striking school teachers in Kerala:
- Immediate release of pending salaries and pension arrears.
- Filling up of all vacant teaching posts.
- Training and support for new curriculum changes.
- Better infrastructure in government and aided schools.
- Transparent transfer and promotion policies.
Student Reactions and Social Media Buzz
On social media, the Kerala school strike 2025 is trending across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Hashtags like #KeralaSchoolStrike, #TeachersProtestKerala, and #SaveKeralaEducation are being widely shared.
Some students have shared their frustration over missed lessons, while others are backing the teachers and demanding better treatment of educators.
One Plus Two student tweeted:
“We love our teachers and want them to be respected. But missing classes during exam time is hurting us. Hope this ends soon. #KeralaSchoolStrike2025”
What’s Next? Will the Strike End Soon?
As of now, no final agreement has been reached between the Kerala Education Ministry and teacher unions. Another round of talks is expected later this week.
Parents and students are hoping for a quick resolution as the academic future of millions of students hangs in the balance. Many experts suggest that if the strike continues, board exam dates in Kerala may be rescheduled, and mid-term evaluations could be cancelled.
Final Thoughts
The Kerala education school strike 2025 highlights the challenges faced by both educators and the government in managing the state’s vast education system. While the demands of teachers are legitimate, the prolonged closure of schools can negatively affect students’ learning and morale. A balanced and timely resolution is the need of the hour.
