CHENNAI: The State government has announced a Rs 2,500 pay increment to part-time teachers on Wednesday, who had been staging a protest since January 8, demanding regularisation. However, these teachers have confirmed that the protest will continue till their actual demand is addressed by the government.
The School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi here on Wednesday met two sets of teachers, Secondary Grade Teachers (SGTs) demanding 'equal pay for equal work' and part-time teachers urging for regularisation.
During the discussion with the minister and department higher officials, director Kannappan and director of elementary education Naresh, it was concluded that the part-time teachers will be given a Rs 2,500 increment. After this hike, nearly 12,000 part-time teachers will get a Rs 15,000 pay month.
But, S Senthil Kumar, state coordinator of TN Part-time Teachers' Federation, speaking to DT Next, confirms that the protest will continue as our actual demand is still pending. "We did not protest for a hike of Rs 2,500. We want job regularisation, which was promised by DMK during the 2016 and 2021 election campaigns."
Despite serving in schools for over 15 years, part-time teachers remain on consolidated pay, drawing a monthly salary of Rs 12,500, a marginal increase from the original Rs 5,000. The further increase of Rs 2,500 will not suffice, argue teachers.
This amount remains insufficient to sustain a dignified livelihood, especially when their roles and workloads mirror those of permanent staff
A part-time teacher
Also, the part-time teachers have urged the TN government to pay ex gratia of Rs 1 crore to the family of S Kannan (42), a part-time physical education teacher working at Perambalur government school, who died by suicide.
Meanwhile, in the case of Secondary Grade Teachers, the discussion was under way till Wednesday night, and Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers' Association (SSTA) are unsure if the protest will continue.