The Department of Education may have promptly acted on a bandh call by Balrath employees after their revised salaries had not been paid since June, but the bitterness expressed by the workers at a press conference on Wednesday amplified the injustices meted out to them in an insensitive system.
If we may recall, there were several protests and an indefinite strike called in July before the government finally relented and agreed to pay
The government had approved the proposal to increase the salaries of drivers and attendants with effect from June and funds amounting to Rs 4.17 lakh per bus were already transferred to all the schools. Sadly, four months later majority of the employees were yet to receive their revised pay. With no resolution forthcoming, they threatened to take the path of protest again and charged school management of arm-twisting them and asking them to do menial jobs like cleaning toilets and gardening if they wanted to avail the hiked salaries. It is also learnt that although the money was transferred to schools, there was no written communication to that effect.
This incident is a classic reflection of how the system works in the education department. While the money was transferred there should have been a circular asking the schools to disburse amounts. Also, instead of holding on to these funds and exercising autocracy with these workers, school management should have communicated to the department and sorted out matters. It appears there was no communication, or rather, no intention to correspond. While schools cared less about the employees, the department didn’t bother either.
The sad irony is that the workers had to call another strike to force the wheels of the education department to move. Protests seem to be the only language that those at the helm are hearing. The very fact that none showed any concern to these workers, and their plight, is deplorable.
The Balrath employees have brought to the fore their exploitation and how they have been used beyond their call of duty without any benefits or perks. It is learnt that those doing sorties for events like national games have to arrange their provisions for food, snacks and water even as work hours extend beyond duty time. Perhaps, this is another bleaker side of a job that is demanding.
The education department and schools must be sensitive towards the issue because it impacts livelihoods. Many Balrath employees were not paid even normal salaries, let alone the revised pay. These actions do not augur well with the education system, and protests becoming increasingly part of that space makes it even worse.
Protests should be the last option of communication because it shows that all other avenues are failing. From contract teachers to students, there have been protests all along. Though the government has been accommodating protestors in far measure, it is not a healthy sign.
As we head into the National Education Policy and look at what is supposed to bring about a paradigm shift in the teaching, learning and schooling environment, there is a need that regulatory authorities monitor the chinks within and ensure immediate course correction happens.
