Despite SC order, many schools skip gratuity for teachersBengaluru: Gratuity for teachers has become a sore point between management and teachers in many schools. While the Supreme Court ordered schools to give gratuity, teachers allege that many schools in Bengaluru are skipping the mandate, citing lack of funds.Recently, teachers of a private school on Bannerghatta Road raised concerns that they have been forced to resign and rejoin to avoid giving gratuity. “Schools are using different techniques to ensure that they don’t have to pay gratuity,” said a teacher.“My school has around 300 employees. Since May-end or early June, the management has reached out to each employee separately (those with more than five years of tenure at the school), telling them to sign a false declaration that says they have been receiving their gratuity as part of the monthly take-home salary. Soon after signing this document, the employee is asked by management to resign and then to continue in the school as a consultant without any signed agreement or contract for a brief period. Later, they get reinstated as a fresh employee. This is clearly being done to ensure discontinuation of service and avoid future gratuity payments,” alleged a teacher.The Supreme Court in 2022 said that all private schools are bound to provide gratuity to their teachers. The order is applicable from 1997.While several schools provide gratuity, many others do not. Admitted Shashi Kumar D, secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka (KAMS): “While many schools provide gratuity, it is not possible for all schools to do that. Many are small, budget schools, and they do not have the surplus funds to provide gratuity, and that too retrospectively,” he said.“In case a school has to give gratuity for teachers in retrospect too, then they will have to pass the burden to the students. The fees will have to be hiked to 20-30% in that case,” he added.Maya Menon, founder director, Teacher Foundation, said that for private schools, every expense would be tied up to the fees they collect from students and thus it’s easy enough to make accommodations for PF and gratuity.“Teachers are the single most important factor that determines the quality of learning school children experience… And one critical way in which schools can demonstrate they value their teachers is by ensuring that they have access to the usual financial benefits like PF and gratuity like other professionals,” she said.State labour commissioner HN Gopalkrishna said such complaints are institution-specific. “In case teachers have concerns, they can approach the jurisdictional labour officer and they will take appropriate action. All schools are bound to follow the rules of the system,” he said.——QuoteWhile many schools provide gratuity, it is not possible for all schools to do that. Many are small, budget schools, and they do not have the surplus funds to provide gratuity, and that too retrospectively-Shashi Kumar D, secretary, KAMS
