Tamil Nadu teachers seek pay on a par with central government counterparts

Members of Secondary Grade Seniority Teacher’s Association (SSTA), Tamil Nadu Teacher’s Association (TNTA) and several other teacher’s associations across the state took part in the protest. 

Speaking at the protest, PK Ilamaran, President, TNTA, said, “Before the sixth pay commission was implemented, secondary school teachers were given salary on par with the central government school teachers. Before June 1, 2009, the teachers received Rs 8,370 as basic pay and Rs 2,800 as grade pay. After the salary was revised, the basic pay was reduced to Rs 5,200 while the grade pay remained the same. 

“There was a reduction of Rs 3,170. We are just fighting for equality. We want the same salary for the same job with the same profile. Teachers hired by the central government have the same amount of experience but are paid more,” he adds.

The teachers had raised the issue on several occasions including in February. However, the state government has not given a favourable reply. “There are so many things that are wrong with how the government treats teachers in Tamil Nadu. With the seventh pay commission coming into the picture, the parity will increase,” said S Gomathi, a teacher present at the protest.