Teachers in private schools in Tenkasi district are urging the Tamil Nadu government to ensure fair payment of salaries. They claim that many schools are manipulating records to show higher salaries to authorities while actually paying teachers much less. These educators are also calling for strict guidelines to regulate salary payments and prevent exploitation by school managements.
Allegations of underpayment, long working hours, and unfair practices are widespread among teachers in nursery, matriculation, and CBSE schools in the district. One particular matriculation school in Pavoorchatram is accused of deceptive practices, where teachers are promised one salary but paid a significantly lower amount in reality.
Teachers have revealed that some schools pay salaries in cash without providing bank account details to employees. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for teachers to verify the actual amounts being paid to them. Additionally, educators have reported harsh working conditions, including extended workdays, minimal leave, and pressure on female teachers to resign after marriage.
Tenkasi’s Chief Educational Officer, Renuga, stated that formal complaints are necessary for the School Education Department to take action against such practices. Despite long-standing complaints of underpayment, no teachers have come forward with concrete evidence until now.
