Teachers Left in Lurch, as Schools & Colleges Refuse or Stopped Paying Them Salaries. “Government should compulsory pay Rs 10,000 every month, to all these teachers and lecturers who were removed from their jobs, or not paid salaries by the institutions they worked for, who are facing the brunt and hardship due to this “- said Abhishek S Ullal, the former Academy Council Member of Mangalore University, during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club, on Friday, 4 September.
Mangaluru: Thousands of teachers and lecturers are left in lurch, since March 2020 when lockdown kicked in, as schools and colleges have refused or stopped paying salaries in Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada and Mangaluru. in Karnataka, teachers, staff left in the lurch. Teachers and lecturers have appealed to the government over pay cuts and say that they were not speaking up out of fear of job loss. Teachers from across Karnataka have started a petition asking the state government to take note of the struggles of teaching and non-teaching staff at private institutions.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club on Friday, 4 September, former Academy Council Member of Mangalore University-Abhishek Ullal said, “Many school teachers, lecturers and non-teaching staff , including guest teachers have not been paid for the last few months, after Covid-19 lockdown, causing distress and forcing many to dip into their savings. Even though they have demanded that the government announce a relief package for all teachers and lecturers working in private schools and colleges, including staff of colleges teaching professional courses and guest faculty working in government / aided colleges and schools, their requests have been ignored by the government”.
“It should be noted that during lockdown, the teachers have helped the district administration in visiting homes, doing Covid-19 checks,a s volunteers, with no pay. But the government has not appreciated their contribution in this regard, moreover, they have not been paid salaries for the hard work they did. They have sought job security for all teaching, non-teaching staff and guest faculties, but no response from government or any other education dept authorities. The condition of the teaching community is so pathetic that it is difficult for them to eke out a living. There are more than 3 lakh such staff in the state. These include working teachers in unaided institutions, guest faculty in government schools and colleges, and private college lecturers” added Ullal.
He further said, “Teachers complain that their existing salaries are already low. Non-teaching staff, who are often unable to afford essentials, say that they would be forced onto the streets if the situation persists. With no salary, teachers and lecturers have taken up odd jobs, or started selling vegetables, fruits etc. Reports that education institutions may not open until October or later due to the COVID-19 pandemic has added to their anxieties. When institutions do eventually reopen, in order to compensate for the economic downturn, they may cut down staff members or force them to work for six months without pay, they fear. Most colleges have cut down their teaching force by 75%, and about 50 percent guest lecturers on their rolls, according to those who follow the sector closely. However, guest lecturers are among the first to face the axe when the time comes for layoffs”.
” Government should allow schools and colleges to start taking fees, so that the management will be able to pay these suffering teaching fraternity. Many institutions have already terminated the faculties, and it is learnt that one PU College in Hoige Bazar in the City has got rid of all teaching fraternity. Many of them have not received or cut down in their salaries, citing the coronavirus pandemic. Since the lockdown, teachers have been taking online classes, but they are shocked to find that they received a 40 -50 percent salary cut, by their employer. It should be noted that teachers’ salary isn’t that high to begin with and getting half their salary cut during such a time only causes more problems for them. The institutions have funds but they are not paying teachers, even though they have been working. And the government has not taken any action against such institutions” said Abhishek. .
He concluded saying, “There is no doubt at all, that the management of these education institutions are unresponsive, to the teachers pleas. Situation may be bad in govt schools/colleges, however,the situation isn’t much better in private schools either. Some school teachers say that they are afraid that they will lose their jobs and thus, are not demanding payment. Some schools/colleges have informed teachers, they would get paid only after the admissions resume. This is a tough situation for the teachers, and therefore, I strongly demand that the government take some action in terms of supporting teachers who are not getting paid or lost jobs, by PAYING THEM Rs 10,000 EVERY MONTH, so that they can make a living. Like farmers and labourers, teachers also have followed a noble profession, but they are paid minimum wages for it, or no compensation during this pandemic. It is high time that the government supports all the teachers/lecturers who are affected by this economic scenario:. Sharath Urs, former general secretary of All College Union of MU was also present during the press meet.
