Kerala has long been known for offering the country’s highest wages for manual labour, attracting lakhs of interstate migrant workers every year. A construction worker earns around Rs 1,200 a day, agricultural labourers often make more than Rs 1,000, and domestic workers earn at least Rs 500 a day.

But what is one of the lowest paid jobs in the state?

Based on interviews with several teachers, Labour Department officials as well as activists, TNM found that teaching in private schools could be a top contender. Teachers with postgraduate or Bachelor of Education (BEd) degrees said they earn monthly salaries as low as Rs 8,500 to Rs 15,000. Many of them have also cleared the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (KTET), the state government’s qualifying examination for teachers. Despite years of experience and annual increments, many remain outside the protection of minimum wage laws and have little bargaining power to demand better pay.

In contrast, the starting salary for government school teachers in Kerala is around Rs 40,000 per month.

TNM spoke to at least 22 teachers from eight districts in the state, working in large, medium, and small CBSE and ICSE schools. The schools are run by individuals, trusts, religious organisations, and other private managements.

At least 12 teachers said they were offered salaries between Rs 9,000 and Rs 13,000 when they joined. Four teachers, despite having worked in the same school for more than six years, currently draw salaries between Rs 8,500 and Rs 9,500. Three others, including one male teacher, said their salary is Rs 15,000 after working more than three years in the same school.

Three teachers declined to disclose their salaries, saying they felt ashamed to speak about it. However, they said no female teacher in their school earns more than Rs 15,000 a month.

A few teachers employed in schools that follow international curricula said they earn more than Rs 20,000 a month.

A workforce without voice

Mary*, a 45-year-old English teacher from Kozhikode district, has been working in the private education sector for the past 15 years. Her monthly salary is Rs 10,500.

“I am embarrassed to tell you my salary. When I joined, I was paid Rs 4,500. Every year, they increase it by such a small amount........

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