Guest teachers in Govt schools to get maternity benefits

Guest teachers in Delhi Government-run schools will now be entitled to maternity benefits with Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal approving a proposal regarding it. “It has been decided to extend the benefits under the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 and Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Act, 2017 to all guest teachers working in Directorate of Education, Delhi Government,” an official order read.

The Delhi School Tribunal had recently pulled up a private school for “illegally and arbitrarily” terminating the services of a contractual teacher on grounds that she asked for maternity leave, and ordered that she be “reinstated”.

The Delhi Guest Teachers Association has been demanding regularisation of over 17,000 guest teachers, pay parity when compared to permanent teachers and maternity benefits. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had at a meeting assured the association of fulfilling their demands.