Patna: With Teachers’ Day approaching on September 5, teachers in Bihar have launched a digital campaign demanding the implementation of the 7th pay scale. The hashtag #BiharTeachersNeed7thPay is trending on social media platform X, with teachers urging the state government to take a concrete decision on the issue.
The campaign has also drawn attention to the question of why teachers who have been granted state employee status are still waiting for the 7th pay scale.
Teachers Turn to Social Media for 7th Pay Demand
Instead of organising street protests or demonstrations, teachers have chosen social media to highlight their demand. Through #BiharTeachersNeed7thPay, they are tagging senior government leaders, including Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and the Education Minister, and calling for an early decision.
Teachers are particularly looking towards September 5, hoping that the government will make an announcement regarding the 7th pay scale on Teachers’ Day.
Teacher leader Anand Kaushal Singh has also raised the issue, questioning why teachers granted state employee status are not receiving the corresponding benefits of the 7th pay scale.
Teachers argue that their responsibilities include educating students and preparing the next generation, and that their demand should therefore be viewed as a matter of professional rights and dignity rather than an additional benefit.
Teachers’ Day: Recognition or Action?
The campaign has added a different dimension to this year’s Teachers’ Day celebrations in Bihar. While September 5 traditionally focuses on honouring teachers and recognising their contribution, teachers are using the occasion to seek a concrete policy decision.
The key question now is whether the government will respond to the digital campaign with an announcement on September 5 or whether the issue will remain limited to discussions and demands.
Computer Teachers May Be Assigned Other Science Subjects
Meanwhile, another decision concerning teachers in Bihar schools has sparked discussion. In Patna district schools where no students have enrolled for Computer Science, computer teachers will reportedly be assigned to teach other science subjects.
The District Education Officer has issued directions to school principals and concerned teachers regarding the arrangement.
Under the directive, computer teachers in Classes 9 and 10 may be assigned General Science if there are no students enrolled for Computer Science. For Classes 11 and 12, they may teach Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics, depending on the requirements of the school.
The move is aimed at utilising the services of teachers in schools where there is no demand for Computer Science classes.
Computer Teachers to Provide Digital and Technical Support
The responsibilities of computer teachers will not be limited to classroom teaching. They will also provide technical assistance and training to other teachers for digital platforms and online systems, including U-DISE Plus and e-Shikshakosh.
In schools without dedicated ICT instructors, computer teachers may also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of computer laboratories, equipment and other digital resources.
With teachers raising demands for better pay while their responsibilities continue to expand, the issue of the 7th pay scale is likely to remain a key point of discussion ahead of Teachers’ Day.
For Bihar’s teachers, September 5 could therefore become more than a day of appreciation—it could be a day of expectation for a concrete government decision.
