UP hikes honorarium of shiksha mitras by 80%

Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday announced a major increase in the monthly honorarium of shiksha mitras -- contractual para teachers -- from Rs 10,000 to Rs 18,000 and that of ‘anudeshak' (instructors) from Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,000 per month.The revised allowance will come into effect from April.Speaking on the floor of the state assembly, Yogi said that it was the BJP govt that had earlier raised the honorarium from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000. UP has 1.43 lakh shiksha mitras and 24,781 ‘anudeshaks'. The effective hike is 80% for shiksha mitras and 142% for instructors. Shiksha mitras, engaged in primary schools run by the basic education department, had been demanding regularisation of services and better pay. Over the years, their honorarium remained a contentious political and legal issue, especially after the Supreme Court cancelled their earlier regularisation as assistant teachers.Govt sources said the decision would entail an additional financial burden on the state exchequer but was aimed at ensuring social and economic security for educators.Yogi highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the state govt to strengthen school and higher education, with a focus on infrastructure, quality enhancement, research, and digital transformation."Under Project Alankar, infrastructure was upgraded and sports facilities were improved in secondary schools. Budgetary provisions were made for the construction of additional buildings for PM Shri schools under the central govt's flagship scheme," he said.To promote menstrual hygiene and uninterrupted education for girls, the govt allocated Rs 300 crore to provide sanitary napkins to school-going girls, he said. The CM also announced that teachers and non-teaching staff would get cashless medical facility."In higher education, the govt focused on quality, skill development, research, and digital infrastructure. Six state universities in Uttar Pradesh secured A++ accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), reflecting an improvement in academic standards," he said.The number of NAAC-accredited institutions in the state rose from 95 to 158. Similarly, institutions from Uttar Pradesh featuring in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings increased significantly, indicating growing national recognition."The number of patent filings has gone up significantly. The number was negligible earlier but now the state has recorded 5,677 patent filings, with around 350 patents granted, signaling a growing culture of innovation and research," he said.Highlighting the establishment of new universities in several divisions, including Saharanpur, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, Devipatan, and Moradabad, Yogi said a transparent policy was implemented for private universities, with strict action against violations. Recognition of two private universities was cancelled for failing to comply with regulations."In a significant international collaboration, the process for establishing a campus of Western Sydney University in Greater Noida has moved forward," the CM said.