Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has announced provision of maternity benefits to thousands of guest teachers working in Delhi government-run schools. The Delhi Guest Teachers Association has been demanding regularisation of over 17,000 guest teachers, pay parity when compared to permanent teachers and maternity benefits. The proposal has finally been approved.
As per the official order, “It has been decided to extend the benefits under the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 and Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Act, 2017 to all guest teachers working in Directorate of Education, Delhi Government.”
The Delhi School Tribunal pulled up a private school for “illegally and arbitrarily” terminating the services of a contract teacher on grounds that she asked for maternity leave, and ordered that she be “reinstated” by September 30. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had at a meeting assured the association of fulfilling their demands.
Shortage of teachers
For nearly two decades, Delhi has faced shortage of teachers.
The Delhi government recently decided to regularise all guest teachers appointed since 2010. In this regard, a recruitment notification was released in August which was put on hold after it was informed that the authorities have not complied with the high court’s 2001 order.
[“Source-timesofindia”]