Model school teachers go without pay

RANCHI: As many as 89 model schools had been launched in the state a year ago to provide quality education to poor children who could not afford to go to big private schools. Built on the lines of central schools, these English-medium schools could accommodate around 40 students.
Though the physical infrastructure was in place, permanent teachers were yet to be recruited.A temporary solution was reached through the appointment of teachers on a contractual basis. Though their services were sought, they have not been given an honorarium for the past 11 months. Deepak Kumar, a contractual teacher of a model school in Ranchi said, "It has been 11 months since I was appointed for Rs 120 per hour, but till date I have not received anything from the government. Other teachers of this as well as other model schools are facing the same predicament."
There are more than 250 contractual teachers in all the model schools taken together. They have been entrusted with the responsibility of teaching more than 3000 students. These model schools are situated in rural areas of every district, which explains that the teachers do not have any alternative source of income.
Arvind Pandey, teacher of a model school in Mandar said, "I was taken in at Rs 120 a week, which meant Rs 15, 000 a month. I was quite happy as this seemed a decent sum for rural areas. But I am yet to receive my dues. I am in such dire straits that I now have to borrow money from friends and family." District education officer of Ranchi Mahip Singh said, "The HRD department has not yet released money for the model school teachers. We are still waiting to get the funds for model schools from the government and as soon as we get it, we will pay the teachers."