Big pay hike for teachers?

The University Grants Commission’s pay review committee has recommended a hike of 70-90 per cent for college and university teachers, reports HT Correspondent.

The University Grants Commission’s pay review committee has recommended a hike of 70-90 per cent for college and university teachers which, if accepted, will push the salaries higher than the revised salaries of senior government functionaries.

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To make the profession more rewarding, the committee has recommended — a higher pay grade, academic allowance of Rs 1,500 per month, advance increments, among other things.

The total package works out to around Rs 40,000 (higher for a PhD-holder) for an entry-level teacher, now being paid around Rs 22,000. The salary will be Rs 6,000 more than what an IAS officer gets at the beginning of career.

“The recommendations will make teaching more attractive and would bring in youngsters who are opting for greener pastures,” pay committee chairman Prof G.K Chadha told mediapersons on Friday after submitting the report to UGC chairman Prof Sukhadeo Thorat.

The report recommends a fixed scale of Rs 80,000 for a vice chancellor, same as that of a secretary to the government. A professor’s salary will match that of an additional secretary. The report has direct implications for more than five lakh teachers across 200 universities and 6,000 colleges in the country.

The panel has proposed a uniform retirement age — 65 years — for all university teachers. Retired teaches can be hired on contract and allow to work till they turn 70. An annual increment of three per cent of basic salary and a per cent more for entry-level teachers, based on performance is on the cards as well. All recommendations are to be implemented from January 2006. Allowances, except dearness allowance, will be admissible from September 2008.