"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
- William Butler Yeats
Kerala stands as a beacon of literacy in India, often cited as an educational model for the rest of the country. Its commitment to schooling has resulted in remarkable academic achievements, a high literacy rate, and a society that places immense value on education.
Yet, beneath this success story lies a stark contradiction—the very teachers who shape future generations, instill knowledge, and uphold the academic excellence of the state, are themselves trapped in financial insecurity, particularly in private institutions.
While society celebrates the role of teachers, it fails to recognize a fundamental truth: no profession can thrive on respect alone. Without fair salaries and financial stability, the teaching profession in Kerala is losing its dignity, and the consequences could be devastating for the state’s educational future.
Degrees, Dedication, and Disappointment: The Harsh Reality
Becoming a school teacher in Kerala is no small feat. The path demands years of academic and professional training, including:
Graduation/Post-Graduation (BA, MA, MSc, etc.)
B.Ed. or M.Ed. (to gain pedagogical expertise)
Qualifying Competitive Exams (SET, CTET, NET)
Despite these rigorous qualifications, private school teachers often start with salaries as low as ₹5000-₹15,000 per month—a figure that is shockingly inadequate to sustain a dignified life.
One must ask: If a highly qualified teacher is earning less than a daily-wage worker, how can the profession attract and retain passionate educators?
Government vs. Private Schools: A Tale of Two Worlds
In Kerala’s government schools, teachers receive structured salaries, periodic increments, pensions, and additional benefits such as healthcare and provident funds. However, in private schools, the reality is starkly different. Despite holding the same qualifications, private school teachers earn significantly less than their government counterparts. Many are employed on temporary contracts, renewed at the whims of school management, leaving them with no job security. Moreover, private school teachers often face exploitative work conditions, being expected to work overtime, handle administrative duties, and contribute to extracurricular events—all without extra compensation. This vast disparity between government and private school teachers reflects a deep systemic failure. When two professionals with the same skills and responsibilities receive drastically different pay, it is not just unfair—it is exploitative.
Educated Yet Struggling: The Daily Battles of a Teacher
A teacher’s job extends far beyond the classroom. They prepare lessons, mentor students, evaluate assessments, conduct admissions, and manage school events. Yet, their financial struggles often force them to live paycheck to paycheck. The challenges they face remain largely unnoticed, despite their crucial role in shaping future generations.
One of the biggest hardships is financial insecurity—how does a teacher, with a postgraduate degree and years of training, survive on a salary that is often lower than that of a driver or an office assistant? Additionally, their workload extends far beyond teaching, as they are expected to handle administrative duties, student counseling, and event management—yet they seldom receive compensation for these additional responsibilities. Unlike their government counterparts, most private school teachers receive no pension, no provident fund, and no health insurance, leaving them vulnerable in times of crisis. The absence of financial stability not only affects their personal lives but also impacts their ability to provide quality education, making it an issue that demands urgent attention.
In a state that prides itself on education, why must teachers live with such uncertainty?
The Great Indian Salary Gap: Teachers vs. Other Professions
Teaching is the foundation of all other professions, yet when compared to other fields, the salary disparity is glaring. A government clerk with a basic qualification often earns more than a private school teacher who holds a postgraduate degree and professional training. Similarly, bank employees and IT professionals with comparable educational backgrounds receive significantly higher salaries, along with benefits such as insurance, paid leave, and retirement security.
This discrepancy raises an uncomfortable yet critical question: Why is one of the most crucial professions—responsible for shaping future doctors, engineers, and leaders—one of the least paid? If educators are undervalued and underpaid, how can we expect them to inspire and nurture the next generation effectively? Without financial stability and respect for their work, the very foundation of our education system remains fragile, risking a future where passionate and skilled individuals are driven away from the teaching profession.
From Classrooms to Coaching Centers: The Rise of the Tuition Economy
With inadequate salaries, many teachers are forced to turn to private tuition as a means of financial survival. While this provides temporary relief, it also raises serious concerns about the long-term impact on education. The additional workload leaves teachers mentally and physically exhausted, diminishing their ability to deliver quality instruction in schools.
Moreover, when tuition becomes a necessity rather than a choice, it can compromise classroom education. Teachers, knowingly or unknowingly, may hold back their best efforts in school, reserving their energy and expertise for private sessions that offer better financial returns. This not only creates an uneven learning experience for students but also undermines the integrity of the education system. Instead of addressing the root issue of unfair teacher salaries, the tuition economy has become a survival mechanism—one that exposes the deep flaws of a system that fails to value its educators.
When Passion Fades: Why Kerala’s Best Teachers Are Leaving
Teaching is a profession that thrives on passion, but passion alone cannot sustain a livelihood. As financial struggles mount, many talented young educators are choosing to leave the profession altogether, seeking better-paying opportunities in other industries or migrating to states where teaching is more financially rewarding. This silent exodus poses a serious threat to Kerala’s education system.
The consequences of this brain drain are far-reaching. Kerala risks losing its most dedicated and skilled teachers to corporate jobs or foreign opportunities, leaving schools with a shortage of experienced educators. Ultimately, students suffer the most—without passionate and knowledgeable teachers, the quality of education declines, producing a generation that is less inspired and less prepared for the challenges of the future. The message is clear: if Kerala does not address this crisis and provide teachers with the dignity and financial security they deserve, it is the students—and the future of the state—that will bear the cost.
Change: How We Can Fix This Crisis
To restore dignity to the teaching profession, urgent reforms are needed to ensure fair compensation and job security for educators. Without systemic changes, the crisis of underpaid teachers will continue to weaken the very foundation of Kerala’s renowned education system.
First and foremost, a legally mandated minimum salary for private school teachers must be established, just as labor laws protect workers in other industries. This will prevent the rampant exploitation of qualified educators. Additionally, strict regulations on private schools should be enforced, with regular audits and salary guidelines to hold institutions accountable for fair pay.
Empowering teachers through unions and collective bargaining is equally crucial. Educators must have a voice and a platform to demand their rights without fear of losing their jobs. Without collective representation, teachers remain vulnerable to exploitation, unable to negotiate fair wages and better working conditions. Strengthening these platforms will ensure that those who shape the future generations are not left struggling in silence.
Moreover, public awareness must increase—parents and society as a whole need to recognize that the quality of education their children receive is directly linked to the financial well-being of their teachers. A well-paid teacher is not just a motivated teacher but also a dedicated mentor who can focus entirely on nurturing young minds rather than worrying about financial survival.
While teaching is often regarded as a noble profession driven by passion, the hard truth is that passion alone does not pay the bills. The belief that teaching should be purely service-oriented and detached from financial concerns is both unrealistic and unjust. Like any other professionals, teachers have families to support, expenses to meet, and futures to secure. If we truly value education, we must first learn to value those who impart it—not just in words, but in tangible ways that acknowledge their expertise and dedication.
If We Don’t Value Teachers, We Don’t Value Education
Kerala has long been an example of educational excellence, but can we truly celebrate this achievement when the backbone of the system—our teachers—are struggling to survive? The state’s high literacy rate and academic success rest on the shoulders of educators, yet many of them face financial hardships that undermine their dedication and passion for teaching.
A fair salary is not a privilege—it is a necessity. The dignity of a teacher should not come solely from respect and admiration but from financial security and professional stability. Imagine a highly qualified teacher standing before a classroom of eager students, inspiring them to dream big and achieve success—while silently worrying about unpaid bills, rising expenses, and the uncertainty of their job. This is not an isolated case; it is the harsh reality for thousands of private school teachers across Kerala.
If we fail to act now, we are not just failing our teachers—we are failing the very foundation of our education system. A society that does not respect and reward its teachers will soon find itself without good teachers at all. The time for change is now. If Kerala truly values education, it must start by valuing its educators.
(The author is a teacher by profession)
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
