HYDERABAD: Reopening physical classes for students of classes 6 to 8 is unlikely to benefit them, said private teachers who’ve been out of work for most part of the 2020-21 academic year. Citing the example of class 9 and class 10 teachers — they have been conducting physical classes since February 1— they said, even the former lot is getting only 30% to 40% of their salary with many schools choosing to fix their remuneration at an hourly basis.
“Even class 6 to class 8 teachers will be paid more or less the same. Reopening schools will not benefit teachers in any which way,” said Laxmi T, who teaches English and Social Studies at a private school. Since she started taking physical lessons this month, Laxmi is being paid Rs 2,500 per period per month — as against her full salary.
Worse, teachers claimed not even 50% of class 9 and class 10 teachers have been asked to report to duty even now. In upper primary sections too, several teachers are yet to be called in to work. “I am still waiting for the management’s call. When I inquired through other teachers, I was told that the management wants to see how many students are willing to come for physical classes,” said Aruna K, a private teacher.
Some teachers even alleged that upper primary sections have been reopened only for the benefit of managements and the government. “Schools have been reopened keeping the ensuing MLC elections in mind. They know that private teachers have many votes and wanted to get them on their side by reopening schools. If the state really cares about teachers and students, why did they not reopen schools when Covid-19 cases started to drop? Why did they not react when we met several ministers?” asked Shabir Ali, president, Telangana Private Teachers Forum.
Members of the Telangana Recognized Schools Managements Association (TRSMA), said it will take at least a week for them to decide whether to call the remaining teachers back to work. “Of 11,000 private budget schools, hardly 2,000 schools have been in touch with their teachers over six months. The remaining don’t even know how many are still willing to come back,” said Shekar Rao Y, president, TRSMA.