Hyderabad: Over 30,000 temporary teachers, spanning aided educational institutions, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV), Samagra Shiksha centres, and gurukuls, find themselves in financial turmoil as they anxiously await their salaries for the month of November. The prolonged delay, attributed to the change in government post-elections, has plunged these educators into a state of uncertainty, with no clear directives or answers provided.
For the teachers, the financial strain comes at a particularly challenging time - the festive season. Christmas and New Year festivities, which should be moments of joy and celebration, have been overshadowed by the looming uncertainty regarding their pending payments, they decried. One teacher, M. Maheshwari, employed at an aided school in the city, told Deccan Chronicle, “The delay in receiving our salaries has created immense financial strain, particularly during the festive season. We earnestly request the finance minister to intervene and facilitate the prompt release of our dues.”
The impact of this financial delay extends beyond monetary concerns,
affecting morale and daily life. Another teacher, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “It's disheartening to see the festive spirit dampened by the uncertainty surrounding our salaries. We couldn’t get it before Christmas, we hope we get it in time for at least New Year and Sankranti,” he said. Many of these educators have families to support, and the delay has added unnecessary stress during what should be a joyous time.
The financial turmoil is further heightened by the fact that aided teachers, who typically receive about Rs 1 lakh per month, and other temporary teachers, who are expecting anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000, are left grappling with the lack of redressal and information amid the change in government. “We’ve been told that the absence of clear orders or explanations is the biggest issue,” Ananda P., said. Chava Ravi, a member of the United Teachers Federation, emphasised the urgency of the matter, saying, “The appeal to finance minister Bhatti Vikramarka is not just for the employees alone but for the countless families relying on their income. Timely payment is crucial for maintaining a sense of security and well-being in these trying times.”
