Lt Col V N Sathya Rao has meetings day in and day out and in many of them the talking point is how to retain teachers. He says, “Every year we recruit close to 200 associate teachers for our schools. These young teachers need to assist the senior teachers, learn the ropes and after training for about a year, are absorbed in the system but only 30 per cent continue in teaching and this is a major cause of worry.”
The reasons are many, for some it is a stop gap, for others the pressure is too much and for a few more-the lure of big money in the corporate world is irresistible. In India, teaching is not a calling. The youngsters want instant success and cannot cope with the feedback.
Students, parents and the management are all providing feedback to the teacher and he or she is in stress. The younger lot are unable to soak in the feedback, avers Col Sathya.
The salaries in IB schools are better and many are shifting to them. The pay can start form Rs 50k to 80k depending the experience and personality of the teacher. There are continuous workshops that they have to attend and it is challenging.
There is a lot of scope for teachers who have an inclination to teaching, says Col Sathya.
