SSK MSK Salary Hike Announced: Why WB Teachers Are Unhappy with the 3% Raise?
SSK MSK Salary: At the very beginning of the year, the State School Education Department has brought significant news for teachers of Shishu Shiksha Kendras (SSK) and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras (MSK). After a long wait, a notification for a salary hike has finally been issued. The teachers’ salaries have been increased by 3 percent. According to the notification issued by the School Education Department, this new increased salary will be effective from February 1st. However, instead of bringing joy, the government’s announcement has sparked anger among the teaching community. In their opinion, considering the current market prices, this increase is nothing short of a “mockery.”
How Much Did the Salary Increase? New Salary Structure at a Glance
According to the state government notification, salaries have been hiked by 3 percent based on rank. Below is a comparative list of the current salary and the new salary effective from February 1st:
| Post Name | Current Salary (₹) | New Salary (₹) | Increase Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahayak or Sahayika (SSK) | 11,593 | 11,941 | 348 |
| Samprasarak or Samprasarika (MSK) | 14,632 | 15,071 | 439 |
| Mukhya Sahayak/Sahayika (Head – SSK) | 16,231 | 16,718 | 487 |
| Senior Samprasarak/Samprasarika (MSK) | 15,071 | 15,523 | 452 |
Why Are Teachers Not Satisfied?
While the news of a salary hike might seem positive at first glance, the reality is different. Statistics show that the salary of a Sahayak or Sahayika has increased by only ₹348. Most teachers feel that this meager amount will not make any significant impact on their daily lives amidst the current inflation.
Teacher organizations allege that they have been agitating for a long time demanding respectable salaries and the status of full-time teachers. When they were brought under the Education Department from the Panchayat Department in 2018, promises were made to improve their conditions. However, in reality, apart from a nominal 3 percent annual increment, there has been no structural change in their basic pay. A section of teachers stated, “For years, we have been building the foundation of education for children in backward rural areas, yet our own bowls remain empty.”
Background and Current Situation
Currently, there are approximately 16,000 Shishu Shiksha Kendras (SSK) and about 1,500 Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras (MSK) in the state. Around 40,000 teachers are working in these centers. These centers play an immense role in strengthening the foundation of primary education for children in rural and backward areas of the state.
- 2018 Transition: After prolonged agitation, these teachers were brought under the School Education Department from the Panchayat Department in 2018.
- Retirement Benefits: At that time, it was announced that teachers would receive a one-time ‘Terminal Benefit’ or retirement allowance of ₹5 Lakh upon retirement.
- Salary Hike: A promise of a 3 percent annual salary increase was made then, for which the notification has now been issued.
What Could Be the Next Step?
Although the School Education Department’s notification has given legal validity to the hike, the dissatisfaction among teachers is not dying down easily. Teachers have already become vocal against this “nominal” increase on social media and various forums. They demand that the state government immediately create a respectable salary structure consistent with current market rates. Otherwise, SSK and MSK teachers may walk the path of a larger movement again in the coming days.
How do you view this move by the state government? Is this slight salary increase a fair evaluation of the teachers’ hard work? Let us know your opinion in the comments.
