Graduate Sanitation Workers Double as Teachers in Chennai Corporation Schools

Several college-graduate sanitation workers employed at Chennai corporation schools are working as underpaid sweepers while doubling as stopgap substitute teachers without receiving teaching pay, recognition, or benefits. These contractual workers, employed through the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), are earning around Rs 19,000 a month for six-day workweeks.

Around 1,700 sanitation workers are employed across the corporation's 420 primary, middle, high, and higher secondary schools spread across Chennai. Many of these workers are graduates and first-generation learners. Despite their qualifications, they lack access to government social security benefits or health insurance.

Sweepers reported routinely performing duties outside their job descriptions, including distributing textbooks, loading school equipment, serving mid-day meals, and washing utensils. In some instances, they are asked to take classes in the absence of regular teachers.

One worker, Vijaya (name changed), is a B.Ed graduate who has cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Paper-II. While she is employed to clean school corridors, she steps in to teach when regular staff are absent, without receiving the designation or pay of a teacher.

Another worker, Kanchana (name changed), holds a BCom degree and is employed as a sanitation worker at a Chennai Corporation primary school. While her job involves sweeping the premises, she has had to teach Tamil to Class 2 students. Kanchana noted that she takes classes because the school lacks permanent staff. The school's headmaster, however, denied any staff shortage.

CITU Chennai district general secretary R Loganathan stated that hundreds of graduates are likely working as sanitation workers across Chennai, with some even holding M.Com degrees. He urged the government to provide jobs that match candidates' qualifications.

Greater Chennai Corporation Joint Commissioner for Education Karpagam IAS said she was unaware of degree-holding sanitation workers stepping in for teachers. She stated that school inspections are conducted regularly and action would be taken if headmasters are found utilizing sanitation workers for teaching. She added that qualified candidates could be absorbed as office staff through School Management Committees.