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New Delhi:
Gone are the days when
teaching was considered a low-paying profession. With the
proliferation of educational institutes and the implementation of
the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations, it is increasingly
becoming popular among youngsters, experts say.
According to M.V. Lakshmi Reddy of the Indira Gandhi National Open
University's School of Education, the scenario has witnessed a sea
change over the past few years.
"Since the coming of the Sixth Pay Commission in 2006, salary
packages have become hefty, which are attracting youngsters. And
the job hours are quite comfortable, unlike corporate sectors. And
among youngsters, it is girls who are more interested in this
profession," Reddy told IANS.
However, Reddy laments the lack of professionalism and commitment
among the new recruits.
"In earlier days, people were committed to the cause of imparting
education, but nowadays, young people are after money. They enter
education industry to only earn money, where you get paid an
initial salary of Rs.30-35,000 per month. Even people who do their
MBA are not getting this much amount," added Reddy.
Namita Ranganathan, from Delhi University's Department of
Education, opines that it is not only the Sixth Pay Commission
which is attracting the youth, but also "resurrection of faith in
teaching as profession".
"There is no stability in a call centre, whereas in teaching, the
job stability factor is there. Despite having vocational degrees,
people are opting for teaching. There is a social prestige
attached to this job," Ranganathan told IANS.
She added: "Students from different streams want to teach now,
which was not the case earlier. There is a resurrection of faith
in teaching as profession. More and more young men are also
visible in school teaching."
One such example is Chaman Khan, in his mid-20s, who is pursuing
his B.Ed from Jamia Millia Islamia.
"The population is increasing day by day and education is the
basic need of any society. The are many more avenues in teaching,
which were not there earlier. Apart from government institutes,
new private education institutes have come up. Salaries are
comparatively better than earlier," he said.
Ritu Singh, a 25-year-old electronic media professional, wants to
become a lecturer as she thinks that that there is intellectual
growth in this profession.
"You grow intellectually with this job. You cannot go on a
sabbatical in a private job, can you? I am taking my M.Phil exam
next year and I hope get through," added Singh, who lives in
Delhi.
However, Nazma Amin, head of the Department of Educational Studies
of Jamia Millia Islamia, believes that there in no change in the
outlook of people towards the teaching profession.
"I have been into this profession since 1970s and over these
decades, I have not seen much change in the the scenario. Teaching
is the last resort for youngsters," said Amin.
"I have been involved in the admission process and I see that it
is mostly girls who take admission in B.Ed and M.Ed courses. For
boys, this is the last option and they are not competent. In fact,
out of 25 students there are four-five male students in my M.Ed
class," added Amin.
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