Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Coronavirus-news
  • Teacher to jalebi seller – Disabled guest teachers in Delhi struggle for survival

Teacher to jalebi seller – Disabled guest teachers in Delhi struggle for survival

Abdul Qadir who has a 80% locomotor disability is wearing a pink shirt
Coronavirus-news July 27, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Disabled guest teachers in schools run by the Delhi Cantonment Board and municipal corporations in the national capital are struggling to make ends meet. Their contracts have not been renewed and they say the coronavirus lockdown and their disability makes it hard for them to seek alternative employment.

A guest teacher at a Delhi municipal corporation school for nearly 18 years, 40-year-old Abdul Qadir has been jobless since 8 May. His contract was not renewed forcing his father of two to move back to his hometown Siwan in Bihar.

“I used to earn a monthly salary of ₹ 40,000 and support my two kids and wife. I cannot survive in Delhi with no earnings. At least here I have some family support to lean on”, says Abdul.

Abdul, who has an 80% locomotor disability, says he is unable to take up any job. In desperation he has started selling samosas and jalebis to support his family and took to Twitter to share his story.

@drsitu @DPI_Info @ncpedp_india @socialjurist @RTEForum_India @JFA_INDIA @drag_org @DPI_Info @BCANDS1 @DPASG @EqualsCPSJ @NewzHook @editorpush4611 @Iftikharfariha @kainisms @singhpiya735 @anamikasingh358 @ManBtt @manashTOI @shamsuddin15 @munazzashams220 @rttanweer2 @AIGTA2011 pic.twitter.com/vV3D4HfhDd

— Abdul Qadir (@AbdulQa78839531) July 25, 2020

In the video, Abdul ca be seen frying jalebis and talking about how there are many qualified guest teachers like him in a desperate situation.

Disabled teachers struggle to find alternative jobs

There are over 3,000 teachers employed on a contract basis across the Delhi municipal corporations’ schools. Over 150 of them are disabled and their plight, says Roshan Tanvir, Vice President, Contract Teachers Welfare Association, is especially grim. Tanvir says he has taken the matter up with higher level authorities, right up to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.

This is clearly a tactic by the administration to save money at the cost of students’ welfare. These contract teachers teach students across sections and are needed. Now the students are losing out. Those responsible are passing the buck and blame lack of funds. No one wants to take responsibility. – Roshan Tanvir, Vice President, Contract Teachers Welfare Association

Among those affected is Gurjeet Kaur, a wheelchair user, who taught at the primary level until May. “She needs special medication, diet and physiotherapy due to her condition”, says her mother Charanjeet Kaur. “She used to earn ₹ 34,000 which was barely enough. Now even that has stopped”.

Gurjeet’s father lost his job after the lockdown and the family has not been able to pay the rent for the last two months. “We are borrowing from relatives to make ends meet”, says Charanjeet. “I have two younger children who are studying. There are so many expenses and no income. How can I look after Charanjeet’s needs?”.

Lack of funds given as reason

The plight of those with disabilities, says Abdul, is especially worse. “If I was not disabled, I would have done any other job. I can’t even take tuitions due to social distancing fears”.

Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016 there are clear guidelines that measures should be taken to protect the community. The coronavirus pandemic has left people with disabilities especially vulnerable and they need all the support the government can provide. The irony is that this is the situation with teachers in a state where the ruling party Aam Aadmi Party takes pride in the achievements of the government school system under its leadership. This apathy towards teachers, who are a large part of the success story, is unforgiveable.

Also Read:

  • Disabled Delhi government guest teachers struggle to make ends meet during lockdown

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Cooking Without Looking TV show featuring visually impaired cooks conveys a powerful message about inclusion

Get-hooked

Parenting Corner - Autism and dental health

Get-hooked

Former Indian soldiers on a mission to enable disabled people to conquer land, sea & water

Technology

#TechThursdays - EMx turns the spotlight on early intervention & inclusive education in the 3rd edition

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.