Punjab’s aided school teachers face ‘Festive Blues’: 7-month salary delay sparks outrage
Many teachers were unable to celebrate the sacred festival of Diwali due to the non-payment of their salaries: PD Sharma
Punjab’s aided school teachers face ‘Festive Blues’: 7-month salary delay sparks outrage
Ferozepur, November 12, 2024: Teachers of aided schools in Punjab have been awaiting their salaries for the past seven to eight months, leaving them unable to celebrate festivals like Diwali. Their plight highlights the negligence of the Punjab government, which has yet to implement the 2016 pay commission for these educators, even as other state employees have benefited from it.
While the government boasts about using advanced technology like robots as teaching assistants, these unpaid teachers are preparing to take to the streets in protest. Experts argue that withholding salaries for work done violates constitutional rights and undermines the morale of educators, potentially impacting the quality of education.
Chairman of the NGO, PD Sharma, criticized the government’s misplaced priorities, questioning how the state can promise free utilities while ignoring critical sectors like education and health. He called for free education and healthcare to be prioritized, emphasizing the urgent need for ground-level consultations to create effective policies.
Additionally, Sharma highlighted the financial burden on students and their families, particularly those studying beyond the tenth grade in private institutions. He stressed that education must be affordable and equitable, as envisioned in the Constitution.
Senior Citizens Council President also voiced concerns about vote-bank politics overshadowing development. He emphasized the need for the government to address the grievances of its employees, warning that unresolved issues could harm the ruling party in the next elections.
With the central government discussing the next pay commission, the Punjab government’s inability to implement the previous one further exposes its inefficiency. Sharma urged the Chief Minister to ensure the immediate release of pending salaries and to hold negligent officials accountable.
As elections approach, the government’s failure to address these pressing issues risks alienating, both educators and the public, jeopardizing Punjab’s progress and the future of its children.
