In a recent post that has sparked widespread discussion on social media, a 37-year-old Assistant Professor from an engineering college in East Bengaluru shared his distressing experience of being undervalued and underpaid despite a decade of dedicated service. The post, shared on Reddit, has garnered over 700 upvotes and numerous reactions from users expressing support and offering advice.
Struggles Under New Leadership
The professor’s troubles began in 2019 when a new principal took charge of the college. Despite consistently positive feedback from students and going above and beyond his duties—such as staying late, working weekends, and even covering student competition fees out of his own pocket—his request for a salary hike was repeatedly denied. He also revealed that junior colleagues were earning more than him, adding to his frustration.
“I did everything and never said no to any job assigned, but my request to increase salary was never approved,” he wrote. “Students were happy with my teaching. I received consistently excellent feedback. But the principal was not ready to acknowledge it.”
A Disheartening Resignation
Feeling unappreciated and worn down by the system, the professor eventually decided to resign. To his surprise, no one from the college attempted to dissuade him from leaving. He expressed his disappointment, saying, “I was fed up with this system and resigned recently. Nobody asked why I was resigning, and nobody asked me to stay. Honesty and loyalty have no meaning in this world!”
Allegations of Financial Injustice
In addition to his dissatisfaction with the college’s leadership, the professor also claimed that his Employee Provident Fund (EPF) was not paid after a sudden change in the salary structure. He explained that the dearness allowance (DA) was reduced from 115% to 30%, with the remaining amount added to other allowances, effectively cutting his gratuity by half.
Support and Advice Pour In
The professor’s post has resonated with many, with social media users offering both sympathy and practical advice. One user pointed out the illegality of withholding EPF and suggested taking legal action, while another expressed shock at the situation, saying, “This is injustice. I thought educational institutions were safe and free from this kind of practices.”
Many users also encouraged the professor to name the institution to prevent others from facing similar treatment. “Please name and shame the institution,” one user advised, while another added, “The toxicity isn’t worth your time and mental health. All the very best for your new innings.”
The post has highlighted the struggles faced by educators, especially in private institutions, where overwork and underpayment are not uncommon. The professor’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges within the education sector and the need for better recognition and support for those who dedicate their lives to teaching.