Islamabad:As the world marked the Labour Day spotlighting the contributions of workers across various sectors, a group of unsung heroes remained overlooked in the shadows: the daily-wage teachers of Islamabad.
Despite their tireless dedication to shaping the minds of future generations, these teachers find themselves on the fringes of society, battling financial insecurity and exploitative employment practices. Throughout the 2023-24 academic session, daily-wage teachers in Islamabad diligently fulfilled their responsibilities, imparting knowledge and guidance to students while contending with the harsh realities of their financial predicament. With a monthly remuneration fixed at Rs32,000 by the government of Pakistan, these teachers struggle to provide for their families, often living hand-to-mouth.
The disparity in compensation between highly educated teachers and other professions, such as security guards and clerks, underscores societal undervaluation of education and the welfare of educators. Despite investing years in acquiring qualifications, daily-wage teachers receive the same meagre compensation, perpetuating a cycle of financial instability. In many colleges, daily-wage teachers not only contend with inadequate pay but also face overwork and uncertainty. Hired at the onset of each academic session, they are terminated come March, leaving them in a perpetual cycle of job insecurity. Moreover, they are burdened with additional responsibilities beyond their contractual obligations, often without commensurate compensation.
Regular teachers acknowledge the dedication of their daily-wage counterparts, who often teach more classes and undertake additional responsibilities to supplement their income through private tuition. Despite facing financial insecurity and denied basic benefits such as medical treatment, these teachers persist in their commitment to education and the well-being of their families. Dr Rahima Rehman, president of Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA) said, "As we commemorate International Labour Day, let us not forget the daily-wage teachers who toil tirelessly behind the scenes, often sacrificing their own well-being for the betterment of others.