Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 8: Eighteen teachers appointed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to run pre-primary classes in civic schools have claimed that their monthly salary has remained Rs 5,000 since 2007, with no increment for nearly two decades.
The teachers were directly appointed by the civic body’s education department when the BMC had planned to operate pre-primary sections through its own staff. However, the policy was later changed and teachers began to be appointed through non-governmental organisations.
Despite the change in the system, the 18 teachers continued working in BMC schools on the same fixed remuneration.
“We have been continuously following up with the BMC for our Diwali bonus and salary increment, but we have not received anything. On the other hand, teachers appointed through NGOs are getting Diwali bonus and other benefits,” one of the teachers said.
Another teacher said they were part of the first batch of pre-primary teachers appointed by the civic body but now feel ignored despite years of service.
Shivnath Darade, an office-bearer of the Maharashtra Shikshak Parishad, has written to the mayor, the chairperson of the education committee and the municipal commissioner seeking a resolution to the issue.
“It is inhuman that someone does not receive a salary increment for 19 years. The BMC should consider their demands on humanitarian grounds and increase their monthly remuneration to Rs 20,000,” Darade said.
He added that under the National Education Policy, the pre-primary stage plays a crucial role in building a strong educational foundation and the civic body should appoint its own teachers rather than relying on NGO appointments.
Meanwhile, Education Officer Kirtivardhan Kiratkudave said a proposal to increase the remuneration of these teachers has already been sent to the finance department.
“The proposal to increase these teachers’ remuneration has been moved to the finance department and it will be sanctioned soon. We have proposed increasing the monthly remuneration from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000,” he said.