Durg, Chhattisgarh | After 22 days of an indefinite strike, Guest Teachers in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh have officially suspended their protest following assurances from the state government regarding their long-pending demands. However, the teachers have made it clear that if their demands are not fulfilled by September 5, 2026, they will resume a statewide agitation.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Durg, where representatives of the Guest Teachers Association said the decision was taken after receiving positive assurances from government officials, including the Education Minister and senior administrative authorities.
Government Promises Key Reforms
According to Dharamendra Vaishnav, the strike coordinator, the government has assured teachers that it will seriously consider several important demands, including:
- Equal Pay for Equal Work
- Salary Increase
- 12 Months of Salary Instead of 10.5 Months
- 13 Days of Casual Leave (CL)
- Future Regularization of Guest Teachers
Vaishnav stated that government representatives promised to present these issues before the State Cabinet and make every possible effort to address them.
“The minister and the department secretary assured us that our demands, including equal pay and a full 12-month salary, would be placed before the Cabinet. Based on this assurance, we have decided to suspend our strike for now,” Vaishnav said.
Teachers Highlight Difficult Working Conditions
Guest teachers emphasized that they have been serving students under extremely challenging conditions, often traveling up to 25 kilometers on foot and teaching in Naxal-affected (insurgency-hit) regions, where their personal safety is frequently at risk.
Despite their dedication, they argue that they continue to receive significantly lower salaries than regular teachers.
Major Salary Disparity
The association pointed out the sharp difference in compensation:
- Regular Government Teachers: Around ₹100,000 per month
- Teachers in Swami Atmanand Schools: Up to ₹38,000 per month
- Guest Teachers: Approximately ₹20,000 per month
Teachers also demanded maternity leave, general leave benefits, and payment for the entire 12-month academic year, claiming that although they work throughout the year, they currently receive payment for only 10.5 months.
Concern Over Police Action
The teachers also expressed disappointment over the police action during the protest. According to the association, disciplinary measures and alleged misconduct by police personnel were unnecessary because discussions with government officials were already underway.
Warning of Fresh Statewide Protest
While the strike has been temporarily suspended, the association has issued a clear warning that if the government fails to implement its promises by September 5, 2026, Guest Teachers across Chhattisgarh will launch another large-scale statewide protest demanding fair wages, better working conditions, and long-term employment security.
The development marks a temporary breakthrough in the ongoing dispute, but the final outcome will depend on the government’s actions over the coming weeks.
