Mumbai: Thirteen teachers working on contract for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been earning a fixed honorarium of just Rs 5,000 per month for the past 15 years, despite performing the same duties and clearing the same examinations as their regularised colleagues. While junior permanent staff now draw monthly salaries of up to Rs 1 lakh, these contract teachers receive no benefits or increments.
Workload and Conditions
Although their contracts stipulate six-hour workdays, the teachers report working 8-10 hours daily, including Saturdays dedicated to training and additional duties. They are deployed alongside permanent staff for election and census work, and even served during pandemic duties. Their contracts allow termination without notice or reason. One teacher stated, 'We have the same qualifications and handle the same workload. Yet, we are treated terribly. Even the housekeeping staff earns more.'
Comparison with NGO Staff
The teachers also highlighted disparities with staff hired through NGOs, who receive around Rs 8,000 per month and enjoy more leave days. The 13 teachers were part of a 240-member cohort recruited between 2007 and 2012; most of their peers left for better opportunities. Nearly all hold graduate and postgraduate degrees, along with diplomas in special education, art, and Montessori training. One teacher was even a Mumbai University topper in MA Marathi.
Classroom Impact
Nazmin Shaikh, a contract teacher in Chembur who was recently felicitated by the BMC as one of the city's best kindergarten teachers, spoke about the disparity in classroom resources. 'Each year, students are awarded for achievements in sports, academics, or drama with chocolates, trophies, or refreshments. But since I am a contract teacher, no funds were sanctioned for my class. I spent Rs 2,000 so that my children were not left out.'
Official Response
BMC education officer Sujata Khaire said that a proposal for their regularisation has been approved and sent to the accounts department. However, the teachers remain skeptical, noting that such assurances have become routine over the years.
