Delhi approves salary hike for vocational and Samagra Shiksha teachers

Delhi has approved a significant revision in salaries for teachers working under vocational education and the Samagra Shiksha program, impacting more than 1,900 instructors across the capital.

The decision was cleared during a Cabinet meeting and announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Under the new structure, vocational teachers will now receive ₹38,100 per month, an increase from the earlier range of ₹20,000 to ₹23,000. Teachers working at centers under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan will see their pay rise from ₹21,000 to ₹35,420 per month.

The revision covers approximately 1,131 vocational teachers along with staff members working at 784 Samagra Shiksha centers in Delhi.

The revised pay structure also applies to educators working in Special Training Centers, which focus on children who have dropped out of school or have never been enrolled in formal education.

"Special Training Centers serve as a lifeline for children who have never been to school or have dropped out. Bringing them back into the mainstream remains a top priority, and teachers play the most crucial role in this effort," CM Gupta said.

According to the CM, the revised salaries bring Samagra Shiksha teachers at par with primary and upper primary school teachers in the system.

"This is not just a financial decision but a recognition of the dedication and hard work of teachers who operate in challenging conditions to bring children into the fold of education," she said.

She further said that the revision is expected to strengthen morale and financial stability among teachers. "Motivated and satisfied teachers are key to delivering quality education," she said.

The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is a centrally sponsored initiative that covers school education from pre-primary to Class 12. It includes support for teacher salaries, vocational education, infrastructure, and learning outcomes.

In Delhi, the program is used to operate bridge courses and training centers aimed at integrating out-of-school children into the formal education system.

The government said it is also implementing monitoring systems, parental engagement efforts, and inter-departmental coordination to improve the functioning and effectiveness of these education centers.