70,000 Guest Teachers Unemployed in Madhya Pradesh, Forced into Menial Labour Jobs

Bhopal- On April 30, the services of guest teachers across the state were terminated after a nine-month tenure. It was promised that recruitment would take place again for the new session starting in June 2024.

However, over a month has passed, and there is still no sign of recruitment for around 70,000 guest teachers. Currently, no orders have been issued for the recruitment of guest teachers in government schools, leaving thousands of temporary educators, who have been serving for years, in economic distress.

Speaking to The Mooknayak, Arvind Prajapati, a guest teacher from Mohti village in Vidisha district, shared his experience. Arvind has been serving as a guest teacher since 2008, teaching school children. However, this is the first time that no engagement/recruitment orders have been issued for guest teachers. Arvind said, "We are struggling with financial difficulties. Due to unemployment, we are working as laborers in the fields. Our services ended in April, but we have to do something to make ends meet. Now, we are waiting for the government's order."

Rahul Kumar, a resident of Datia district, is also waiting for the guest teacher recruitment order. Rahul has been serving as a guest teacher in government schools for the past five years. He told The Mooknayak, "Last year, the School Education Department's order came in June, and all recruitments were completed by July 12. But this time, no order has been issued. We have no other means of employment, so now we are worried about supporting our families."

In government schools in the state, over 70,000 guest teachers are employed, with many having served for up to 15 years. Several guest teachers have filed a petition in the High Court demanding regularization of their services. They argue that they have passed the teacher eligibility test and are trained in D.Ed and B.Ed.

Guest Teachers Serving for 15 Years

In Madhya Pradesh's government primary, middle, and higher secondary schools, around 70,000 guest teachers have been providing temporary services for the past 15 years. It is fair to say that the state's education system largely relies on guest teachers. However, more than a month has passed since the new session began, and the government has not recruited guest teachers.

Guest teachers state that they have been teaching continuously as guest teachers for three to 15 years. In other states, guest teachers have been regularized. Therefore, guest teachers in Madhya Pradesh should also be regularized. The High Court directed the School Education Department to take action according to the rules. In response, the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) cited rules stating that guest teachers cannot be regularized.

Manoj Kumar Mishra, the provincial president of the Joint Guest Teacher Association, told The Mooknayak that they have been in constant contact with the government. He said, "We have been in continuous discussions with administrative officials, and there are possibilities that appointment orders will be issued soon."