Mumbai: A teachers’ body wrote to CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday seeking extension of paternity leave and childcare leave (CCL) benefits to school and junior college staff, flagging disparities in existing provisions.It said while male staffers in state govt and degree colleges are entitled to 15 days of paternity leave, those working in schools and junior colleges are not covered under the policy. The representation termed the exclusion inequitable and called for uniform application of leave benefits across institutions. “Why should teachers in schools and junior colleges be denied [paternity leave]? The rules need to be uniform for all educators in the state,” said Shriprakash Dixit, president of Mumbai Regional Junior College Teachers Organisation, in the letter. The letter also highlighted gaps in CCL provisions, noting that women staffers in aided schools are eligible for 180 days of leave as per a July 23, 2018, govt resolution, but those employed in unaided schools are excluded. It urged govt to extend paternity leave to male staff in schools and junior colleges and grant CCL to women in unaided institutions.
