Editor,

I wish to draw the urgent attention of the state government to the plight of guest teachers engaged under the Mukhya Mantri Shiksha Kosh Yojana (MMSKY), who have been working for four and a half months without receiving their remuneration.

This prolonged delay is unacceptable. Teachers are expected to attend schools regularly, fulfil their academic responsibilities, and remain accountable for students' learning outcomes. Yet, when it comes to paying them for their services, the same urgency and accountability appear to be missing. If the government expects teachers to work without interruption, why should their remuneration be withheld for months?

We are not volunteers; we are teachers performing our assigned duties. We need to pay rent, arrange food, support our families, and bear transportation costs, including motorcycle fuel. These are basic necessities, not optional expenses. Expecting teachers to continue working indefinitely without payment places an unfair burden on those who are already fulfilling their responsibilities.

The government must understand that dedication cannot be a substitute for remuneration, and administrative delays cannot justify withholding earned wages. The patience and professionalism of guest teachers should not be exploited or mistaken for an unwillingness to raise their voices against injustice.

I therefore urge the chief minister, the Education Department, and the authorities concerned to release all pending remuneration of MMSKY guest teachers immediately and ensure that such delays do not recur. The matter must be treated as an urgent livelihood issue, not left pending as another administrative formality.

Four and a half months without pay is far too long. We are demanding nothing beyond what we have earned through our service. Pay the teachers their dues, uphold their dignity, and demonstrate that the government's commitment to education extends to the people who make education possible.

A concerned MMSKY guest teacher