As the sun rose over the bustling streets of Varanasi, Ravi, a passionate educator at a local private school, prepared himself for another day of imparting knowledge and shaping young minds. With a heart full of purpose and a mind brimming with innovative teaching strategies, Ravi embarked on his daily routine, unaware of the broader challenges that loomed ahead.
Ravi’s days were a whirlwind of activity, from captivating his students with engaging lessons to meticulously grading stacks of notebooks and organising extracurricular events. Yet, despite his unwavering dedication, he found himself constantly grappling with the stark realities of being an educator in India. “The financial strain can be overwhelming at times,” Ravi confided, his brow furrowed with concern.
“On a monthly salary of just ₹40,000, it becomes a constant struggle to make ends meet, let alone afford basic supplies like a new whiteboard marker.” The disparity between Ravi’s compensation and the ever-rising cost of living was a pressing issue that gnawed at him, especially as he witnessed his colleagues making difficult choices to supplement their income.
“We pour our hearts into shaping the minds of the next generation, but it feels like society doesn’t truly value the immense responsibility we carry,” he lamented. Ravi’s frustration extended beyond the financial realm as he grappled with the pervasive lack of societal respect for the teaching profession.
“The notion that teaching is a fallback career rather than a noble calling is deeply disheartening,” he said, his eyes reflecting the weight of this systemic challenge.
“Phrases like ‘You’re only a teacher because you couldn’t get a real job’ echo in the hallways, undermining the profound impact we have on our students’ lives,” Ravi continued, his voice tinged with a mixture of pride and exasperation. As Ravi navigated the complexities of his role, he couldn’t help but witness the ripple effect of these issues on the quality of education.
“When teachers are strained and demotivated, it inevitably affects the learning experience of our students,” he observed. “The enthusiasm wanes, and the potential for transformative educational experiences diminishes.” Ravi knew that the path forward required a comprehensive approach, one that addressed the deep-rooted systemic challenges. “We need a fundamental shift in the way society perceives and treats teachers,” he asserted.
“Educators deserve fair compensation, necessary resources, and genuine respect for the invaluable contributions we make to the nation’s future.” As Ravi stood before his class, his eyes filled with a renewed sense of purpose. “By investing in the well-being and professional growth of teachers and not prioritising communal politics as we’re seeing it today, we can unlock the full transformative potential of education,” he declared with conviction.
“It is time for a collaborative effort, one that empowers us to become catalysts for systemic reform.” Ravi’s unwavering dedication to his profession, despite the challenges he faced, served as a testament to the resilience and passion that define the teaching community in India.
Facts do not care about feelings
A report by News18 in November 2018 revealed that teaching remains an underpaid profession in India, with educators facing challenging conditions in both private and government schools. A stark contrast emerges when comparing the remuneration of teachers in India with that in other countries, notably Luxembourg, where primary teachers receive a substantial salary.
According to a report from the World of Statistics, a Luxembourg teacher with 15 years of experience earns an annual salary of US$104,846, equivalent to Rs 87,14,060 in Indian currency. This staggering figure highlights the vast disparity between the compensation of primary teachers in India and Luxembourg.
In India, primary teachers who have cleared the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) receive a basic salary ranging from Rs 9,300 to Rs 35,400. Monthly salaries for these teachers hover around Rs 35,000 to Rs 37,000, while upper-primary level teachers earn Rs 43,000 to Rs 46,000 per month.
Despite the land of Gurus and Goddess Saraswati, when compared with Luxembourg, Indian teachers are paid nearly 16 times less than their counterparts in the affluent European nation.
Germany secures the second position globally for higher primary teacher salaries, with an annual figure of US $85,049 (Rs 70,73,359). The report outlines salaries in other countries as well: the Netherlands (US $70,899), Canada (US $70,331), Australia (US $68,608), and the United States of America (US $63,531). Ireland, Denmark, South Korea, Japan, and other nations follow suit, showcasing varied compensation levels for primary teachers worldwide.
The predicament gets deeper
In the bustling heart of Ayodhya, where the city’s most prestigious private schools stood tall, a growing chorus of discontent echoed through the hallways. Scores of dedicated educators, the very pillars upon which these esteemed institutions were built, found themselves grappling with a harsh reality: they were severely underpaid and overburdened, a stark contrast to the public perception of their cushy positions.
Shoaib Mohammed, a seasoned teacher at one of the region’s top private schools, had been a silent witness to this troubling trend. With over a decade of experience, he had poured his heart and soul into shaping the minds of his students, only to find himself facing a constant financial struggle.
“The irony is palpable,” Shoaib lamented, his brow furrowed with a mix of frustration and determination. “These schools collect exorbitant fees from parents in the name of ‘development,’ yet they fail to pass on the financial benefits to their teaching staff in a fair and transparent manner.”
The disparities were staggering. While the school’s coffers swelled, with quarterly fees exceeding ₹20,000 per student and an annual revenue of over ₹150 crore, Shoaib’s own monthly salary hovered around a meagre ₹60,000 — a figure that fell woefully short of the recommendations set forth by the Seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC).
“The CPC clearly laid out a 23.55% hike in pay and allowances across all sectors, yet many of these elite schools have simply refused to implement it,” Shoaib said, his voice tinged with a sense of injustice. “The authorities claim they lack the funds, even as they increase fees year after year. It’s an utter disregard for our contributions and expertise.”
The problem extended far beyond just Shoaib’s institution. Across the region, teachers in other prestigious private schools echoed similar sentiments, sharing tales of mental harassment and a complete lack of transparency in their compensation and workload.
“It’s not just about the salary anymore,” lamented Meera, a teacher with over eight years of experience who earned a mere ₹40,000 per month, sans any health or other benefits. “The workload has become unbearable, with a constant demand for us to go beyond the realm of teaching and engage in a myriad of administrative and extracurricular tasks.”
The frustration within the teaching community was palpable, as they grappled with the realization that their dedication and expertise were not being valued in proportion to the exorbitant fees charged by their employers.
“We are not just teachers; we are mentors, role models, and catalysts for change,” Shoaib asserted. “Yet, we are treated as if we are somehow unqualified or undeserving of the fair compensation recommended by the CPC.”
The ripple effects of this systemic injustice were far-reaching, as the teachers’ discontent threatened to spill over into the classroom, potentially compromising the quality of education that these prestigious institutions were known for.
“When teachers are demotivated and overburdened, it inevitably impacts the learning experience of our students,” Shoaib said, his eyes reflecting the weight of this responsibility. “We cannot afford to let the passion and enthusiasm that define our profession be extinguished by the relentless pursuit of profits.”
“There is simply no transparency and equilibrium when it comes to our salary and workload,” Gayatri, a teacher sitting next to Shoaib, lamented. “Some schools have implemented the CPC, while others continue to exploit us, citing vague excuses like ‘lack of experience’ or ‘unqualified’ status.”
As the debate rages on, the spotlight shines brightly on the systemic inequities that plague the private school ecosystem in India. The time has come for a comprehensive, transparent, and equitable solution that upholds the true value of the teaching profession and ensures that the educators who shape the nation’s future are adequately recognized and rewarded?
