The first two parts in the series
threw light on the rampant poaching of teachers in Kota. Here is the third part
in the series in which Nitin Vijay, Managing Director, Motion Education Ltd.
Kota, gives his outlook on this matter of concern. His viewpoint of maintaining
stability in an organisation throws some light on the probable solution that might
actually help solve this crisis.
Kota, I believe, is the dream destination for anyone who wants
to pursue teaching as their profession as there is no dearth of opportunity or
facility in this city.
Many IITians return to Kota and teach
at coaching classes. This shouldn’t be surprising as it could be love for
this city or simply because they are genuinely interested in teaching. It also could be because teaching as a profession pays very well. The average pay scale ranges
between be Rs. 5-18 lakhs per annum i.e. it is between Rs. 5-10 lakhs for
assistant faculty position and Rs. 10-18 lakhs for senior faculty members.
Parents would like to believe that
having teachers who are IITians is good, but fact of the matter is that the
students will only prefer a faculty who is good with the subject irrespective
of an IIT background. If students dislike a teacher their careers might just
end. If they are extremely popular with students then it is also worth paying
them high salaries.
But good teachers these days are hard
to retain.
The tendency of poaching teachers
from coaching centres with a promise of higher pay is a concern. To be honest,
who would want to refuse an offer that would double his or her income? I
wouldn’t call this as unprofessional conduct of teachers, nor blame them for
this. It is in fact the institutes that try to lure teachers and students that are to be blamed for engaging in this mal practice. Post teachers switching jobs, students also have left the coaching class
to join wherever their teacher has joined. Though teachers have been known to
share contacts of toppers with the new institute they join, at other times
students leave because of attachment to their teachers.
I am of the belief that teachers or students will not leave if
there is stability in the organisation. Even if the best of the faculty members choose to quit, it should not affect the organisation in any manner. That should be the kind of stability that any institution must aim for. Also since there is no shortage of professionals, finding a good replacement is not difficult. The aim for any institue must be to provide stability to both teachers and students.
Though there is no permanent solution to this issue, stopping a teacher
or student who chooses to quit is of not of much consequence to the institute
at large.
You can read the Part- 1 and Part- 2 and Part- 4 story of the series.