Now, Mumbai private, unaided school teachers may go on strike

Despite BMC orders, teachers claim to be paid only Rs 12,000 to Rs 14,000 a month.

Emulating junior college and degree college teachers, who have been on strike since February, primary unaided school teachers are also threatening to strike over non-payment of sixth pay commission salaries.

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The teachers said many private unaided schools were not paying them the salaries recommended by the sixth pay commission. “While BMC school and private aided school teachers are being paid as per the latest pay scale, we continue to be paid as per the old one. Even after teaching for over 22 years, we are being paid Rs 12,000 to Rs 14,000 a month,” a teacher said.

The BMC had made it mandatory for private unaided schools to also follow the upgraded pay scale. “Despite the BMC orders, schools are not introducing the new salary scale. Education officers, who conduct regular inspections, are not taking action against such schools,’’ another teacher said.

The teachers said that in the last few months, they have approached government authorities to look into their demands, but have received no response. “We do not want to disrupt the assessment of exam papers or worry parents during the summer vacation, but the government needs to look into our demands soon, or we will be forced to strike,” added the teacher.

Angry teachers say they will file an FIR against the officials. “Some officers are making derogatory remarks and issuing threats during the training sessions,” said a teacher from a school in Andheri, requesting anonymity.

BMC education officials refused to comment. “We will look into the complaint and can only comment after the inquiry,” said a senior official.