Deekshith DV
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, Jun 1: Chitralekha, who was once teaching students at Government Girls Primary School in Balmatta, is now rolling beedis to earn a living. Her unfortunate state was caused due to the government imposed lockdown after there was a spike in Covid-19 cases across the state.

For the past nine years, Chitralekha, after being appointed as a guest faculty on a contract basis has served various schools in the district. But, after the pandemic, the life of guest teachers in government schools has turned worse. Many teachers are now working other jobs to earn a livelihood.

Moreover, several teachers in the district appointed on a contract basis at government primary schools, are leading their life by rolling beedis, peeling areca nut, selling fish, running small shops among other odd jobs to support their families.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Chitralekha said, "We are appointed by the government on a contract basis. After March 2020, we have not received salaries. Due to their dire situations, the teachers have working menial jobs to feed their families."

"As we are appointed by the government no private institution will come for our aid. As we have no jobs and no salaries since March last year, it has become very difficult to make a living. Post lockdown, even my husband who was running a fast food joint is rolling beedis at home. Through this, we feed our three children. Though we have urged the government to provide us with a nominal amount of Rs 100 per day, there has been no response from them," Chitralekha said.

It may be recalled that the Karnataka primary and secondary education minister, S Suresh Kumar, recently had requested chief minister BS Yediyurappa to announce a Covid relief package for teachers and staff of unaided institutions. But, the state government failed to focus on the primary school teachers appointed on a contract basis in government primary schools, says a teacher speaking on condition of anonymity.

Smitha, a guest faculty in a government school in the city, has opted to sell fish in Bengre to feed her family following the absence of pay and job from the government. Speaking to Daijiworld, she said, "We have met the people's representatives and submitted a memorandum urging them to solve our problem. However, even after so long, our problems have not been solved. There are over 500 guest teachers indulging in various forms of jobs just so that they could support their families. When we were employed each temporary staff was to be paid Rs 250 per day by the government. However, the salaries were not paid on time. We even worked more than the permanent teachers."

"The government has released a special package for labourers in the state, but it has not bothered about the teachers appointed on a contract basis. We are working tirelessly to save government schools but the government has neglected us. Due to the pandemic, we have been out of jobs. Therefore, to earn a living I sell fish," she said.