Lack of benefits, salary arrears pushes 5,000 govt teachers to resign

A senior official from the Tamil Nadu Teachers Recruitment Board (TNTRB) told DT Next that about 16,700 teachers were appointed on temporary basis in 2011, with consolidated salary of Rs 5,000 under formerChief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s tenure.

“These teachers were assigned to teach Classes 6,7 and 8 in various government and government-aided schools across the State,” he added.

According to the official, when AIADMK came to power again in 2016, their salaries were increased to Rs 7,000 per month and in 2017, their pay was hiked to 7,700.

However, the temporary teaching staff claim that they do not have any benefits such as PF, ESI, health insurance coverage and maternity benefits, which was given by other states.

“More than 5,000 teachers, who have waited for several years, have resigned since government failed to consider their request to resolve the pay and other issues despite several requests given to Chief Minister and School Education Minister,” said, All Tamil Nadu Temporary Teachers Welfare Association, Stateco-ordinator, S Senthilkumar said.

Stating that his association even sent a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, he said, “The temporary teaching staff in other states get more than Rs 10,000 per month with all benefits on a par with other government employees.”

He also claimed that during the last State Assembly session, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan, said that government is considering to make the temporary teaching staff as permanent employees and based on which a committee would be formed. “However, no action has been taken so far,” he alleged.

Pointing out that at present only about 11,700 temporary teaching staff were still working and waiting for the government to help, Senthilkumar said his association also requested Principal Opposition DMK and Congress to raise the issue in the Assembly session.

He also noted that the 5,000 vacant posts, which wascreated due to resignations, is yet to be filled.