COVID Impact: Bengaluru guest teachers forced to take up daily wage jobs

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had an adverse impact almost on all industries and sectors worldwide. Even teachers were not spared from its impact. According to a TNM report, several teachers in Karnataka are now forced to take up daily wage jobs as the pandemic has ended the teaching careers of many.

Many government PU guest lecturers and guest school teachers told TNM that their work in government institutions suddenly ended during the pandemic and they have been struggling to make ends meet since then.

These temporary staffers weren't hired back to the educational institutions they were working for due to the lack of in-person classes at school and colleges after the pandemic.

The guest teachers whose contracts are generally renewed every academic year, though they are never hired as permanent staff also alleged that they have not received any help from the government either.

As the months passed and their chances for reappointment grew slim, some left the field altogether and took up daily wage jobs.

Organisations such as the Government PU Colleges Guest Faculties Association and Guest Teachers' Struggle Committee — affiliated with the All India Save Education Committee (AISEC) — had submitted memorandums and requested ministers and local administrators to come to their aid.

However, no action was taken for them.