New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) The Delhi government on Thursday substantially hiked the salaries of guest teachers in government schools, a move that is expected to benefit around 17,000 teachers.
"The teachers, who earlier got Rs 17,500 a month, will now get Rs 32,200. Similarly, the salaries of Rs 20,000 and Rs 22,500 have been increased to Rs 33,120 and Rs 34,100 respectively," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told the media.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Kejriwal said guest teachers earlier got their salaries only for the days they worked but now they will get fixed monthly salaries.
The teachers will also be now eligible for eight days of annual Casual Leave, said Kejriwal.
The government also decided to give two more chances to those guest teachers who still haven't qualified the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET).
According to Right to Education Act, guest teachers had to qualify the CTET exam in five years, which ended in July this year, Kejriwal said.
"Officers advised us that all such teachers who have not qualified the exam need to be removed. But we have decided to get them two more chances.
"If they don't qualify even after the next two attempts, then we will have no other option (but to remove them)," he said.
Kejriwal added that the approval of the central government is needed to give this extension to the guest teachers and the Education Department will "immediately" write to the Central government on the issue.
