Hundreds of guest lecturers, who toil hard in Government Arts and Science Colleges in the State for a meager salary of Rs 10,000 per month, are yet to be paid for their services for nearly three months now.
There are hundreds of faculty posts that are vacant in 69 Government Arts and Science College in the State. Besides, these colleges also start new courses.
To take care of the workload, the State usually appoints guest lecturers every year for a consolidated pay of Rs 10,000 per month.
“This year, guest lecturers joined for duty on June 20 and they were yet to receive their salary. Many guest lecturers are in the age group of 40-50 years and they are struggling to meet their family expenses. Some of the guest lecturers are in a poor state, borrowing money from their friends and relatives to meet their day-to-day expenses,” said a principal of a government college, who requested not to be named.
In the previous years, these guest lecturers used to get their salary for the month of June in July.
“In fact, these guest lecturers take care of the major part of teaching in Government colleges,” he added.
S Tamilmani, president of the Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers Association (TNGCTA) said they have brought the issue to the notice of Minister for Higher Education P Palaniappan, who has assured to take action.
“In fact, their salary was raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000,” Tamilmani said.
Some of the candidates opt for guest lecturer post as it would fetch them 2 grace marks per year (maximum 15) for work experience while applying for the post of Assistant Professor through Teachers Recruitment Board.
When contacted, Director of Collegiate Education T Senthamizh Selvi said, the department has already sent a report to the government and the guest lecturers will get their salaries soon.