Primary school teachers seek salary on par with central government counterparts

General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Primary School Teachers Federation (TNPTF) S Balachander said, “We want a salary decided by the Central government. Primary school teachers are being ignored and we face a loss of almost Rs 12,000 when compared to our counterparts, who have the same education qualification, but are paid more by the Central government.” 

The protestors also expressed resentment toward that the contributory pension scheme as they do not gain much benefits from it. Balachander said, “We want the previous pension scheme, stopped in 2004, to be brought back. We are not benefitting from the existing contributory pension scheme. We do not know where the money is going. We also want the amendments to the VII Pay Commission to be passed in the State.” 

In a 15-point memorandum, the teachers also demanded that weak students must not be allowed to reach Class 8 without being failed. Such students can be promoted only till Class 5. Another demand was that child labour victims must be given free education.     In the city, protests were held at Poonamalle, Choolaimedu, Thousand lights, College Road, Pattinapakkam and Maduravoyal. Large groups of demonstrators gathered on ECR and at Chengalpattu.