Around 15,000 secondary school graduate teachers in Tamil Nadu who are on periodic pay may not receive the special grade salary hike due to delays in issuing authenticity certificates for their teacher diploma qualification.
The teachers were appointed in government schools on a consolidated pay basis during 2003–04. They did not receive benefits such as regular pay, increments and promotions at the time.
In 2006, the consolidated pay system was removed and the teachers were brought under periodic pay. As they have now completed 20 years of service, government service rules require that they be granted a special grade pay hike, but the report says no pay or promotion benefits have been provided so far.
For the hike to be processed, teachers must submit authenticity certificates for their educational records, including degrees and school certificates. However, the Government Examinations Department’s head office, which must verify the teacher diploma and issue the certificate, has allegedly delayed the process for more than a year.
With the required verification pending, block education officers and staff at district chief educational offices have reportedly said the hike cannot be approved, raising fears that the increment could be stopped from this month. Teachers are expecting the state government to resolve the issue.
