New Delhi: In a move aimed at revising the remuneration structure of guest teachers working in Delhi govt schools, Directorate of Education (DoE) has proposed replacing the per-day payment system with fixed monthly remuneration linked to basic pay and dearness allowance (DA).The proposal, which also provides for casual leave, could bring a substantial increase in earnings for guest teachers who have long raised concerns over their pay and service conditions.According to the proposal, postgraduate teachers (PGTs), including educational and vocational guidance counsellors (EVGCs), will receive Rs 76,160 per month, comprising Rs 47,600 in basic pay and Rs 28,560 as DA. Trained graduate teachers (TGTs), including miscellaneous teachers, would receive Rs 71,840, while primary teachers (PRTs) would be paid Rs 56,640 per month.The proposed structure calculates DA at 60% of basic pay, with subsequent revisions in accordance with govt rates. However, the document specifies that house rent allowance and other allowances would not be admissible.Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, the DoE document states that guest teachers are currently paid on a per-day basis despite being engaged against sanctioned vacant posts in govt schools and performing duties on a par with regular teachers. It further notes that their engagement is against existing sanctioned vacancies and does not involve the creation of additional posts.The proposal also provides for eight days of casual leave in a financial year on a pro-rata basis. However, unused leave would neither be carried forward nor be eligible for encashment.A DoE official said, “The revision is still at the proposal stage, and there is no specific date yet for implementation. Any change in the existing payment structure would be subject to the necessary approvals.”The proposed changes come against the backdrop of Delhi govt schools’ continued dependence on guest teachers across primary, secondary and senior secondary classes to bridge staffing gaps caused by vacancies and delays in regular recruitment.“Guest teachers have repeatedly raised concerns over their remuneration, job security and service conditions, particularly the disparity between their responsibilities and the benefits available to regular teachers. Many have consistently been writing to authorities,” said a guest teacher at a school in north Delhi.However, some teachers noted that while the proposed shift could provide greater income stability, it does not, by itself, confer regular employment status or extend all service benefits available to permanent teachers.Earlier, the associations of guest teachers had argued that payment on a daily basis left them financially vulnerable when their services were discontinued, while uncertainty over re-engagement made long-term planning difficult. Their longstanding demands include regularisation, a policy ensuring continuity of service till retirement, pay parity with regular teachers and timely revisions in remuneration. They had also questioned the disparity in employment conditions despite undertaking comparable teaching responsibilities.
