Maharashtra: SSC moderators, examiners want hike in remuneration

Examiners and moderators, who are correcting answer papers of the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams, have demanded a hike in remuneration.

Examiners and moderators, who are correcting answer papers of the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams, have demanded a hike in remuneration.

Students-appeared-for-their-SSC-examinations-at-Saraswati-Mandir-School-in-Matunga-Mumbai--Anshuman-Poyrekar-HT-photo

Examiners said that though the number of students appearing for the exam has increased by nearly 36% in the last two years, their payment has not changed.

Teachers Democratic Front (TDF), a union of teachers, has written to the Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education to at least bring the remuneration at par with that of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examiners and moderators.

“One examiner is checking 1,600 to 1,700 papers. That is around 400-600 more papers than last time,” said Rajesh Pandya, examiner, Fatima Devi English High School, Malad.

Last year, the board had said that the number of students had increased because it was the last year for repeater candidates who wrote exams as per the old syllabus. However, the increase has continued this year too.

“The board had assured us there wouldn’t be many students this year and we wouldn’t be overburdened,” said Pandya.

Siddheshwar Chandekar, secretary, Mumbai division of the state board, said, “We had allowed candidates to fill form 17 (the application filled by students who are not enrolled in schools) and appear for the exam. Registrations were open till a day before the exams,” he said.

Chandekar said the demand will be sent to the divisional chairperson, who will forward it to the Pune board. “We will consider the teachers’ request, but the decision to increase remuneration can only come from the Pune board,” he said.