PANAJI, GOA: Former GPCC President Amit Patkar has strongly demanded that the BJP Government in Goa immediately address the long-pending grievances of pre-primary teachers, who are being forced to work for extremely low salaries despite playing a crucial role in shaping the foundation of a child’s education.
A delegation of pre-primary teachers met Congress representatives in Ponda and highlighted their serious concerns regarding extremely low remuneration, lack of job security, statutory recognition and social security. Amit Patkar, Adv. Ajay Prabhugaonkar and former Jawahar Bal Manch Chairman Pelagia Raposo were also present during the interaction.
More than 3,000 pre-primary educators working in nearly 800 schools across Goa are reportedly receiving only ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per month.
“It is shameful that teachers who nurture our children during the most important formative years of their lives are being paid ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 a month. The BJP Government cannot speak about quality education and the National Education Policy while simultaneously denying dignity and financial security to the very teachers who provide foundational education,” said Amit Patkar.
Patkar said that pre-primary teachers continue to face a serious structural injustice as they have not been formally recognised as a cadre under the Goa School Education Rules, 1986. Their recruitment norms, pay scales and service conditions therefore remain inadequately codified.
Congress demands immediate action
Amit Patkar demanded that the Government:
* Amend the Goa School Education Rules to formally recognise pre-primary teachers and establish a proper cadre.
* Extend Grant-in-Aid to eligible pre-primary sections registered with the Directorate of Education.
* Introduce a uniform minimum floor salary so that no pre-primary teacher is paid exploitative honorariums.
* Provide proper service conditions and job security, including maternity benefits, medical insurance and tenure protection for long-serving educators.
* Provide PF and gratuity benefits to eligible long-serving educators.
* Provide ECCE certification and upskilling programmes so that teachers are not pushed out of employment as qualification requirements evolve.
Teachers’ Town Hall on September 6
Amit Patkar said that the concerns raised by the pre-primary teachers are not isolated and that he is receiving representations from teachers and members of both teaching and non-teaching staff from different parts of Goa regarding several issues affecting the education sector.
“After listening to the pre-primary teachers, it has become clear that there are several other issues concerning teachers and non-teaching employees which need to be brought into the open. Different categories of employees are facing different problems relating to salaries, service conditions, job security, recognition, benefits and their working environment,” Patkar said.
He said that rather than allowing these grievances to remain unheard, there is a need to create a common and open platform where teachers and education-sector employees can directly put forward their concerns.
“To give a platform to teachers and non-teaching staff to come forward, speak openly and place their genuine grievances before us, I will organise a Teachers’ Town Hall on September 6, immediately after Teachers’ Day. This will be an opportunity for teachers and non-teaching staff from across Goa to share their experiences, identify common problems and discuss the way forward,” said Patkar.
He added that the Town Hall will not merely be a political programme but will seek to listen to those working on the ground and understand the real challenges confronting Goa’s education system.
“Teachers are the backbone of our education system. If their voices are not heard, we cannot claim to be serious about the future of our children. The Town Hall will provide an open platform where teachers can speak without fear and bring forward issues that have remained unattended for years,” Patkar said.
He also appealed to teaching and non-teaching staff across Goa to participate and bring forward their genuine concerns so that the issues can be systematically documented and taken up with the appropriate authorities.
“This is not only about one category of teachers. This is about protecting the dignity of everyone who works to educate and shape the future generation of Goa. We will listen to them, stand with them and take their issues to the appropriate forums until justice is delivered,” Patkar said.
Patkar further reiterated that the Congress Party will continue to stand with pre-primary teachers and other education-sector employees and raise their legitimate demands at every appropriate forum.
Issued by:
*Amit Patkar*
Former President, GPCC
