There is an alarming increase in the use of substitute teachers by those who are actually supposed to be teaching in Chin state, Burma. Teachers are hiring others to attend school and teach students leading to a fall in teaching standards.
"Now, about 30 regular government school teachers have not been attending school themselves but hiring others to attend school on their behalf as regular teachers with a monthly salary in Falam township alone," said an education staff from Falam town.
Some teachers use this method of hiring substitute teachers for more monetary benefit by being involved in trading. This helps them augment their income.
"Most regular government teacher’s trade in Mizoram in northeast India," said an educational administrator from Hakha, the capital of Chin state.
It is learnt that regular teachers get Kyat 50,000 per month, but cannot manage their family expenses. So they hire substitute teachers to help them trade freely for more income, said a staff of Falam township education department.
"Most of the substitute teachers have not even passed their matriculation examination but were being hired to teach students in schools. Village elders and parents are worried at this emerging trend, which will affect their children's education," said a local.
Given the hike in prices of essential commodities and other goods, a bag of rice is being sold for Kyat 25,000 to 30,000 and meat for Kyat 5,000 per viss in the capital of Chin state.
Similarly, teachers in Tamu Township and Kalemyo, Sagaing division have been taking leave from their school and trading to overcome financial problems.
"Even civilian youth can manage to buy a motorcycle, but we cannot manage to send our children to school. So, we have no choice but try to make more money," said a school teacher in Kalemyo.
Khonumthung news
