How Much Does A Primary Teacher Make? (Salary And Duties)

Teachers have an important role to play in shaping a society's future by providing guidance and knowledge to young minds. The role of a primary teacher is to teach children from classes one to five. Learning about the required qualifications and the tasks and responsibilities of a teacher can help you decide if it is the right career for you. In this article, we discuss how much does a primary teacher make and explore their duties and responsibilities.

How Much Does A Primary Teacher Make?

Knowing the answer to 'how much does a primary teacher make?' can help you get an idea of the career prospects of this job. The national average salary of a primary teacher is ₹15,703 per month. After the government introduced the seventh pay commission, the average net salary of a primary teacher usually ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹37,000 per month. This may also include several allowances, such as house rent allowance (HRA) and transport allowance.

The actual salary of primary teachers may vary depending on several factors, such as skills, experience and location. It can also differ between private and government schools. In private schools, the average salary is usually around ₹25,000 per month.

Related: How To Become A Teacher: Steps And Additional Tips

Qualifications Of A Primary Teacher

To become a teacher in India, you can choose one of the following methods:

• Pursue B.Ed. The minimum requirement is to have a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, usually with a minimum of 55% marks.

• Pursue BTC or D.Ed. You can also opt for the Basic Training Certificate (BTC) or diploma in education (D.Ed) or a Teacher Training Certificate course to start your career.

• Pursue B.El.Ed. You may also complete a Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), a four-year integrated curriculum that trains teachers at the primary level.

Some courses may offer teaching programmes where you can attend and observe other experienced teachers during their teaching. This can help you understand a range of techniques and skills used to help students stay engaged. You may also consider getting a degree in special education that can help you prepare lessons to meet the specific needs of children with different developmental capacities.

If you are interested in teaching at government schools, you can appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) which is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Many states conduct a teacher eligibility test to recruit teachers in public schools, and this test is also beneficial to those applying for private schools. Having a Master of Education (M.Ed) degree helps may improve your skills and increase your chances of getting hired.

Related: 10 Common Teacher Interview Questions And Answers

Responsibilities Of A Primary Teacher

The duties and responsibilities of a primary teacher are usually the same and typically include:

• Develop exciting lesson plans and materials for student engagement

• Create an environment where learning is enjoyable

• Assign homework and projects and evaluate them

• Use strategies to develop tasks that require a collective effort, helping students work as part of a team

• Communicate with parents or guardians to keep them informed about students' learning and development

• Assess scores and reports to help students improve in their weak areas

• Attend teacher development programs that assist them in upgrading their skills

• Conduct extra-curricular activities to assist children in showcasing their talent and being creative

• Stay up to date with the curriculum

• Change the level, structure and teaching style based on individual needs

• Organise educational outings and excursions for students

• Attend staff meetings and interact with other teachers to address common issues

• Help students develop intellectually and morally

• Give additional attention and care to students who are having difficulty coping

What Are The Skills And Qualities Of A Primary School Teacher?

Teachers generally require various skill sets to create lesson plans, instruct students, work with administrators and interact with parents. To be competent in this profession, having the following skills is essential:

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is a vital and desirable competency for a teacher. When teachers are enthusiastic about their teaching, students may become eager and motivated to learn new things. This can also inspire students to be inquisitive and curious to learn new things in life. An enthusiastic teacher may be able to prompt students to ask questions, discuss and respond positively to lessons.

Communication skills

Teachers ideally have an aptitude for physical, verbal and written communication. Effective oral communication helps teachers present concepts in a manner that students can understand and appreciate. Being passionate about the subject and making it intuitive for students to understand and can instil a lifelong love of learning.

Related: Communication Skills: Definitions And Examples

Creative thinking

Teachers often motivate young children to think creatively. They may help students to appreciate the world around them, broaden the limits of their knowledge, nourish ideas and improve their reasoning abilities. The role of a teacher is to help young students develop diverse perspectives, find creative solutions to problems and learn to engage with the world around them.

Leadership skills

Another key role of a teacher is also to develop a relationship of trust with students to motivate and challenge them. They can set a good example for students by expressing genuine enthusiasm for learning and can lead by example to demonstrate positive values. These professionals work with students to help them understand and appreciate the concepts of leadership and also cultivate leadership qualities in them.

Conflict resolution

A significant part of a primary teacher's responsibility is to manage disagreements within a classroom. They may experience conflicts between young children over sharing resources such as books, games and toys. Having this skill helps them consider each point of view and reach a fair conclusion. This helps the teacher educate the children on good behaviour, manners and values.

Related: Social Skills: Definition, Examples And Why They're Important

Motivational skills

Students may require constant motivation to learn and appreciate the subjects taught. A teacher with good motivational skills helps build confidence by providing prompt feedback, organising group tasks, appreciation and acknowledgement of efforts. This may also contribute to the student's moral development and growth.

Organisational skills

Organisational skills can assist teachers in effective planning and time management. This includes preparing material that is engaging for students, planning activities outside of the classroom, creating tasks and challenges which help children interact and evaluating assignments to help children improve. Having this skill can help teachers manage a wide range of activities and responsibilities without getting overwhelmed.

Empathy

Empathy is perhaps the most important trait of a good teacher. This can help teachers, through active listening and communication, to understand children's personal and social circumstances, which can help them offer the right support and guidance. A supportive teacher can help students develop emotional and cognitive skills throughout their lives.

Related: 10 Important Skills Of A Teacher And How To Develop Them

Benefits Of Becoming A Teacher

Understanding the benefits of being a primary school teacher can help you decide if this career is the right fit for you. Here are some of them:

Build a rewarding career

Teaching can be a very enriching career where you motivate and inspire young children to appreciate learning and realise their passion for a subject. You can make a difference in their lives and shape who they become in the future. The job has many duties where you may make a direct impact on a young person's growth and learning.

Join an in-demand industry

In view of the increasing demand for education and the dependence on public education systems, the demand for teachers may be high. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics estimates that 69 million new teachers would be required by 2030 to achieve the global education targets. The job of a teacher may become more popular in the future.

Create a lasting impact

Good teachers may have a long-lasting impact on the lives of their students. As a primary teacher, you would not only be responsible for their intellectual development but also their emotional well-being and self-esteem. This is critical to the future of society, where a skilled person and an effective leader can make a meaningful difference in the world.

Enjoy a better work-life balance

The working hours of an elementary school teacher are usually from early morning to mid-afternoon and the exact timing may depend on the school. With weekends and some extra vacations, the pressure of work is comparatively lesser as compared to other corporate jobs. This gives teachers a chance to create a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article is affiliated with Indeed. Salary figures reflect data listed on the quoted websites at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.