Six Temporary Teachers Killed This Year
In Chhattisgarh, Maoists are increasingly targeting shikshadoots (temporary teachers) in remote villages, accusing them of being police informers. The latest victim, Kallu Tati, a 25-year-old teacher from Bijapur’s Lendra village, was brutally murdered, marking the sixth killing this year and the eighth since 2023.
The Dilemma for Teachers
Gambir Telam, a leader of the Chhattisgarh Shikshadoot Union, says teachers face a grim choice: continue teaching and risk death, or quit and face financial hardship.
“We are caught in Maoists’ crosshairs. Many have been threatened. Some have left their jobs,” Telam said.
Temporary teachers report regular threats, phone checks by Maoists, and questioning by police, making daily life extremely stressful.
Maoists’ Motive: Prevent Education
Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, explained:
“The goal of these attacks is to deprive children in Bastar of education. Maoists fear that an educated community will reject their anti-development ideology.”
Public hearings, previously held to investigate suspicions, have now been discontinued, leaving teachers even more vulnerable.
The Shikshadoot Scheme
Since 2018, the Chhattisgarh government has hired shikshadoots to reopen schools in Maoist-affected areas like Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, and Narayanpur. Key points about the scheme:
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Applicants must have completed Class 12.
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Teachers earn ₹12,000 per month, funded by District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
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Recruitment is done via Gram Panchayats, and payment is disbursed after attendance verification.
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Around 400 teachers have been hired in remote Maoist-affected districts since the program began.
Teachers Demand Job Security and Compensation
After repeated attacks, shikshadoots are demanding permanent positions or increased salaries and insurance in case of death.
Kamlesh Dodi, a teacher from Bijapur, said:
“The government must either regularise us or raise our salary to ₹20,000. In case of death, families should receive ₹50 lakh and a government job on compassionate grounds.”
The Chhattisgarh Local Shikshadoot Welfare Association has condemned the killings and called on Maoists to provide proof before targeting teachers.
Rising Fear Among Educators
Teachers like Suresh Meta, who was murdered in July 2025, had previously warned colleagues about threats but continued teaching to ensure children received education. These incidents underscore the high-risk environment in which temporary educators operate.
