Dehradun: In yet another academic year, guest teachers across Uttarakhand expressed frustration over non-payment of salary for the summer break despite being deputed for the panchayat polls scheduled next week. Introduced in 2015, the guest teacher system has been instrumental in promptly filling vacancies in schools, particularly in remote hill areas. However, teachers said they are hired at lower pay scales, without job security, benefits or pension afforded to regular staff.

Initially, 6,214 guest teachers had been appointed, but the numbers have since fluctuated due to terminations and fresh appointments within the education department. At present, around 4,700 guest teachers remain engaged, with 3,700 having served for over eight years. Longer-serving teachers have been demanding permanent positions and pay for both summer and winter breaks for years now. Several protests were also carried out in Dehradun, but agitations were always called off following departmental assurances.

“When we first protested in 2017, the then MLA, Pushkar Singh Dhami, assured us that our demands would be fulfilled during his tenure. This promise was also part of the party manifesto. He has been the CM for four years now, and not once have our issues been addressed. We work overtime, handle administrative tasks, conduct online classes when required — yet our salaries remain inadequate,” said Abhishek Bhatt, president of the Uttarakhand Guest Teachers‘ Association.

Bhatt also highlighted the absence of insurance and pension benefits for guest teachers, given the risks associated with poll duties. “The polling booths are in remote areas. We are not insured. No one is ready to take responsibility for us. They just want our services,” he said.

In Tehri district, teachers in all but one block were paid this month, according to sources. “We have refused to go for panchayat poll duty. Now they’re saying we’ll be paid up to July 20, and the remaining salary will come after the month ends. But if we skip the election duty, we fear our salaries will be deducted. We will only work for what we’re paid. Why should we go above and beyond?” asked Ashish Joshi, a guest teacher based in Rudraprayag.

Meanwhile, education department officials said that teachers who worked during the summer have been paid. “As of now, there are no provisions in the govt order regarding summer pay, but the teachers who worked during the break have been compensated,” said Mukul Kumar Sati, director of secondary education.