Para Teachers Demand Fair Wages: A Call for Dignity

In West Bengal, para teachers are making an urgent appeal to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, seeking an increase in their monthly honorarium due to escalating living costs and financial hardships. Their current earnings—Rs 10,000 at the primary level and Rs 13,000 at the upper primary level—are funded under a 60:40 pattern between the Centre and the state, which they claim are insufficient for a dignified living.

Initiated by Bhagirath Ghosh, convener of Parshwa Shikshak Oikyamanch, teachers have requested a structured pay system, emphasizing that they form the backbone of the state's primary education system. Despite holding professional qualifications like B.Ed and D.El.Ed, these educators are employed on contractual terms under the Samagra Shiksha Mission and believe their contributions deserve recognition through adequate compensation.

While proposing that central funds for para teachers be directly deposited into their accounts, they criticized the state government's neglect of their financial woes. Highlighting the political undertones, BJP Teacher Cell leader Pintu Parui suggested that the central government might better address their issues with a change in the state’s ruling party, hinting at a broader political narrative.