Teachers' demand

We feel that there are two issues that arise from the demands of the primary school teachers, the issue of monetary benefits, and nationalisation of their job.

Insofar as the salaries are concerned, that the primary teachers are ill-paid there is no doubting it. In view of the galloping rise in prices, we feel that their demand for a pay rise is justified. But a mere 10 percent enhancement in their pay is neither here nor there. This is a rather measly amount even compared to what was awarded to the government employees by the last pay commission. While we are well aware of the constraints on the national resources, we feel that the government could have been more realistic in respect of their pay rise.

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Nationalisation of all primary teachers' jobs is, however, a different matter. We feel this cannot be rushed. Our experience of nationalisation has not been very pleasant, since nationalisation has not been an unqualified success in all the cases.

There are two implications of nationalisation that we must not overlook. While it provides security of job to the beneficiaries, by the same token, the downside of it is that, assured job infuses a degree of laxity that may result in slackness in their commitment, and a laidback attitude, towards the job. There must be built-in safeguards against the latter.

However, we suggest that, considering all the pros and cons, the issue of nationalisation of primary teachers' job deserves a closer look. Along with the issue of job security, a thorough examination is required to assess the impact of nationalisation on the quality of primary education. While there is a need for amelioration of the pecuniary state of the primary teachers, nationalisation may not necessarily have all the answers to all their woes.