Central government teachers across the country have put forward several significant and significant demands regarding the 8th Pay Commission. Various teachers’ organizations have presented the Commission with several impressive proposals regarding salaries, allowances, pensions, retirement age, promotions, holidays, and improved medical facilities. Among these, the most significant and prominent demands are the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), raising the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65, increasing promotional opportunities, and extending holidays. However, it should be clear that these are currently teachers’ own demands and proposals, and the 8th Pay Commission has not yet officially approved them.
Teachers’ organizations demanded equality
The All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF), a leading organization of central government school teachers, presented these demands to the 8th Pay Commission during a high-level meeting in New Delhi. The demands of teachers from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Delhi MCD and NDMC schools, as well as Delhi government schools, were discussed in detail at this important meeting.
According to the organization’s national president, Manjeet Singh Patel, the teachers’ primary objective is to bring uniformity to salaries, allowances, and other service conditions for central government teachers across the country. They argue that the cost of living and food is rising at a consistent rate across different cities, so there should be greater uniformity in teachers’ salaries and allowances.
Demand raised to increase the retirement age to 65 years
One of the teachers’ most significant demands is to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65 years. The organization clearly states that the long service and experience of experienced teachers should benefit the country’s students for a longer period. If the government and the Commission accept this demand, teachers across the country will have a wonderful opportunity to earn an additional five years of service. However, any final decision on this will depend entirely on the final recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission and the decision of the central government.
Emphasis on restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
Teachers have once again raised a strong demand for the re-implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the country. Let us tell you that most of the central employees who joined the government service on or after January 1, 2004, were brought under the ambit of the New Pension Scheme i.e. NPS. However, now the option of UPS has also been made available for such employees, despite this the teachers’ organization wants that the old pension system should be fully restored. The old pension scheme provides more certainty to the employees regarding the financial security they will get after retirement, due to which government employee organizations have been demanding it continuously for a long time.
Major changes proposed in promotion rules
Teachers have also demanded several major changes to the current system of promotion during their service. The organization has proposed that 50 percent of vacant principal positions be filled through direct promotion from departmental teachers, while an examination-based quota should be established for 25 percent of the positions.
Additionally, a proposal has been made to create an entirely new promotional position called “Head of Subject,” with a suggested grade pay of ₹5,400. Meanwhile, a strong demand has been made to increase the grade pay of the position of Vice Principal to ₹6,600. A different promotion-related demand has emerged for Delhi teachers, with the organization demanding a 100 percent promotional quota for Delhi government teachers in the position of Vice Principal, providing them with more opportunities for career advancement.
Demand for improvement in holidays and medical facilities
Teachers have also put forward several proposals regarding their leave. According to the new proposal, every central government teacher should receive 14 casual leaves, 30 earned leaves, and 20 medical leaves per year. Furthermore, changes have been demanded in the rules regarding Child Care Leave (CCL), under which if only a male teacher is employed in a family, he or she should also receive CCL benefits based on specified conditions.
Additionally, there has been a strong demand for improved medical facilities. The organization argues that Delhi government teachers should have the option to choose the best healthcare facility from either DGEHS or CGEHS upon retirement, so that they can enjoy the benefits in their hometowns after retirement. Cashless medical facilities are also demanded while they are still on the job.
Further process and important meetings
Currently, the entire 8th Pay Commission process is in its initial stages, and suggestions are being continuously sought from various employee organizations and stakeholders across the country. After completing its meetings in Delhi, the Commission will also conduct consultations in other major cities across the country.
According to the schedule, similar meetings are also scheduled in Chennai, Puducherry, Chandigarh, and Jaipur, with the Jaipur meeting scheduled for August 31st and September 1st. However, it is crucial that the final recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission will not be based solely on these demands of the employees. The Commission will also have to take into account the current economic situation of the country, the financial capacity of the government, expenditure on national development, the heavy pension burden, and the pay scales of the government and private sectors. Therefore, for now, the restoration of OPS, the retirement age of 65, and increased promotion quota are the only demands of the teachers, on which the government has yet to make a final decision.