8th Pay Commission: Central government teachers have put forth several significant demands regarding the 8th Pay Commission. The teachers’ organization has submitted various proposals to the commission concerning salary, allowances, pensions, retirement age, promotions, holidays, and medical benefits. Among these, the key demands include reinstating the Old Pension Scheme, raising the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years, enhancing promotion opportunities, and increasing the number of holidays. However, it’s important to note that these are merely proposals and demands from the teachers, and the 8th Pay Commission has not yet approved them.
The All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF), which represents central government school teachers, shared their demands with the 8th Pay Commission during a meeting held in New Delhi. This meeting addressed the concerns of teachers from various institutions, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, as well as schools under the Delhi MCD, NDMC, and the Delhi government. According to the national president of the association, Manjeet Singh Patel, the main goal of the teachers is to establish uniformity in salaries, allowances, and other service conditions for central government teachers nationwide. He emphasizes that the cost of living is increasing at a similar pace in different cities, which warrants greater consistency in the salaries and allowances provided to teachers.
Demand for Extended Job Tenure
One of the most significant requests from teachers is to extend the retirement age to 65. The organization argues that the expertise of seasoned teachers can be leveraged for a longer duration. If this request is granted, teachers would have the chance to work for an additional five years. However, the final decision will hinge on the recommendations made by the 8th Pay Commission and the subsequent actions taken by the government.
Demand to re-implement old pension scheme
Teachers have also raised the demand for re-implementation of OPS (Old Pension Scheme) . Most central employees who joined government service on or after January 1, 2004, were brought under NPS (National Pension System) . Now the option of UPS (Unified Pension Scheme) is also available for such employees . Despite this, the teachers’ organization wants that the old pension system should be restored. OPS provides more certainty to the employees regarding the pension they will receive after retirement, hence government employee organizations have been demanding this for a long time.
Demand to increase promotion quota to become principal
Teachers have also demanded changes to the promotion system. The organization has proposed that 50 percent of departmental teachers be appointed to the principal position through promotion, while an examination-based quota should be reserved for 25 percent of the positions. Furthermore, a proposal has been made to create a new promotional position called Head of Subject. According to the organization, a grade pay of ₹5,400 has been proposed for this position. Meanwhile, a demand has been made to increase the grade pay for the position of Vice Principal to ₹6,600.
A separate demand has also emerged regarding promotions for Delhi teachers. The organization has demanded a 100% promotional quota for Delhi government teachers to the position of Vice Principal. This aims to provide teachers with more opportunities for career advancement.
Demand for more holidays in a year
Teachers have also made demands regarding leave. The proposal calls for central government teachers to receive 14 casual leaves, 30 earned leaves, and 20 medical leaves annually. Furthermore, changes are also demanded regarding CCL (Child Care Leave) . The organization wants that if a family has only a male teacher, he should also receive CCL benefits under the prescribed conditions.
Demand for medical facilities for Delhi teachers
Teachers have also demanded improved medical facilities. According to the organization, Delhi government teachers should have the option to choose between DGEHS (Delhi Government Employees’ Health Scheme) or CGEHS (Central Government Employees’ Health Scheme) upon retirement . The goal is to ensure that teachers can access healthcare benefits even when they return to their hometowns after retirement. The organization has also demanded cashless medical care for teachers while they are on the job.