In India, private teachers play a crucial role in educating the future generations. They are often the backbone of the education system, working hard every day to shape young minds. However, many private teachers face the harsh reality that despite their importance, they are severely underpaid.
This problem is not just about low salaries; it involves many factors that continue to undervalue the teaching profession. In this article, we’ll explore the various aspects of this issue.
A Wide Gap in Numbers
The shortage of teachers in India is alarming. A report by UNESCO in 2021 revealed that there are over one million unfilled teaching positions in the country, with many of these vacancies in rural areas. To fill these gaps, schools often hire private teachers, who may not be fully qualified.
Private school teachers, especially those teaching young children, are particularly vulnerable. They often work without contracts, earn low salaries, and lack basic benefits like health insurance or maternity leave.
On average, a private school teacher in India earns about INR 15,000 per month, which is 22% below the national average income. This is a huge difference compared to government teachers, who start with a salary of INR 42,600 per month. This gap in wages clearly shows how private teachers are undervalued.
The Urban-Rural Divide
The difference between urban and rural areas in India makes this issue even worse. In cities, private teachers might earn a bit more due to the higher cost of living and better educational facilities. But even with slightly higher pay, many still struggle financially. The situation is much tougher in rural areas, where most underpaid private teachers work.
In rural schools, the problem isn’t just low pay but also a lack of resources, opportunities for professional growth, and job security. These teachers often work in difficult conditions, with limited access to teaching tools or technology, which makes their job even more challenging. Despite these hardships, their salaries remain very low, keeping them in a cycle of poverty and dissatisfaction with their jobs.
The Gender Gap
Gender also plays a big role in the underpayment of private teachers. Teaching in India is done by both men and women, but there is a general difference in the pay they get. Many women accept lower wages while negotiating salaries, which employers exploit by seeing teaching as their secondary income.
This gender pay gap is made worse by societal norms that often undervalue women’s work, especially in rural areas. Women in these regions usually have less power to negotiate and are more likely to accept lower pay without arguing, which keeps the cycle of underpayment and exploitation going.
Extra Work
The exploitation of private teachers doesn’t stop with low pay. These teachers are often given extra work beyond their teaching duties without any additional pay. This can include administrative tasks and organizing events. Unfortunately, this type of exploitation is common, and many private teachers quietly accept these extra responsibilities because they fear losing their jobs.
Seeking Legal Help is hard
Even though there are laws to protect workers, private teachers often find it hard to seek legal help. Many are either unaware of their rights or are too scared to take action because they worry about losing their jobs or facing other consequences. While the courts have ruled in favor of fairness, the power imbalance between school management and teachers often discourages teachers from seeking justice.
This exploitation has serious consequences. It affects the quality of education because many underpaid private teachers in India can’t often give their best to students. It also leads to high turnover rates, with many talented teachers leaving the profession for better-paying jobs elsewhere.
The COVID-19 period highlighted just how unstable jobs for private teachers can be. Private teachers found themselves in a very vulnerable position. Teachers who taught dance, music, sports, and other arts were affected the most. They were laid off in huge numbers as schools could not afford to employ them due to the loss in their finances.
Policy Issues
The Right to Education Act (RTE) was meant to improve education in India, promising better working conditions for teachers. However, its implementation has been weak, especially when it comes to ensuring fair pay for private school teachers. Often, private teachers don’t benefit from policies that protect workers, and there’s little enforcement of minimum wage standards in private schools.
Underpaid Private Teachers in India- What can be done?
The issue of underpaid private teachers in India is complex. Besides policy changes, there needs to be a broader effort to raise the status of the teaching profession. This means not just increasing salaries but also offering more opportunities for teachers to grow and develop professionally.
Encouraging young people to choose teaching as a career by offering competitive pay and benefits is key to solving the teacher shortage and improving education quality in India.
There should be a strong legal framework to ensure fair pay and job security for private teachers. Society also needs to change how it views the teaching profession, recognizing the essential role teachers play and ensuring they are paid fairly.
Only then can we correct the injustice faced by underpaid private teachers in India, who continue to educate and inspire despite the difficulties they face. More should be done than just celebrating 5 September as Teachers Day every year.
