Salary crisis hits 51,000 guest teachers in Karnataka, payments pending since November

Bengaluru: Government schools across Karnataka are already struggling with a severe shortage of teachers, and the situation has worsened further with nearly 51,000 guest teachers reportedly not receiving their salaries since November 2025. The delay has pushed thousands of temporary educators into financial distress while raising concerns about the impact on the state’s public education system.

Guest teachers, who are hired on a temporary basis to fill vacancies in primary and secondary schools, say they are paid modest honorariums ranging between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000 depending on their teaching experience. However, even this limited income has not been credited for several months, forcing many teachers to struggle with daily expenses.

Surekha, a guest teacher working at a government primary school on Link Road in Bengaluru, said several representations have been submitted to officials of the education department, including the principal secretary. Despite repeated appeals, she said there has been no response so far.

“We are paid only ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 based on our experience, and even that salary has not been released since November. We submitted a letter through the Karnataka State Primary and Secondary School Guest Teachers Association, but there has been no action,” she said.

Guest teachers also complain about the terms of their employment. Though they work for the entire academic year, they are reportedly paid for only ten months. Their current agreements are scheduled to end on March 31, creating uncertainty about whether their contracts will be renewed for the next academic year.

Another teacher working at a government school in Yelahanka said many guest teachers are worried about their future. “We work for twelve months but receive salary only for ten months. Our contracts end on March 31 and we don’t know whether the government will renew them. At the very least, the government must ensure that the small salary we earn is paid on time,” she said.

Education experts warn that prolonged delays in payments could affect the functioning of government schools, particularly in rural areas where guest teachers play a crucial role in maintaining classroom teaching.

Educationist Dr. Niranjanaradhya urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to immediately release funds to clear the pending salaries. He noted that guest teachers play a vital role in ensuring that children in rural government schools continue to receive basic education.

“If teachers are not paid for months, it becomes difficult for them to sustain themselves. Such delays also affect the quality of teaching and ultimately the learning outcomes of students,” he said.

With the new academic year approaching and contracts nearing expiry, thousands of guest teachers across Karnataka are anxiously waiting for clarity on both their pending salaries and future employment.