State component for SSA teachers’ salary goes up to 30%
Shillong, Oct 16: The key demands of agitating SSA teachers – 100% salary hike and security of service are under consideration of the state government although total fulfilment of the demands is unlikely soon.
Education department officials have been directed to work out a formula on how to address their demands, said education minister Rakkam A Sangma while appealing to the teachers on strike to resume work considering the welfare of students.
The SSA teachers’ demands were discussed at a high level meeting in presence of chief minister Conrad K Sangma and more discussion is likely to take place soon, the minister said.
However, he said, 100% enhancement of the salary of over 13,000 SSA teachers in the state may not be possible immediately in view of the financial constraints faced by the government.
“I feel bad about our teachers who are sitting (on strike) on the street or in the playground, but on the other hand I also feel about the students, who may be waiting for the teachers in the school,” Rakkam said.
Referring to the different demands raised by two main organisations of the SSA teachers, the minister said although factionalism is “not a good sign”, demands of both organisations are “genuine”.
While the All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers’ Association (AMSSASTA) is on strike demanding 100% salary hike, the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA) have served a two-month ultimatum to the government to frame a policy to ensure service security of SSA teachers.
He also made it clear that government’s door is always open for the SSA teachers to discuss their demands.
Citing Government of India’s decision to impose a cut of 5% on the salary component every year, he said the state government currently has to bear 30% of the SSA teachers’ salary compared to 90:10 funding pattern at the beginning of the Sarba Sikhsa Abhiyan.
“Earlier, it was a purely Government of India programme and state government had to bear only 10%, but since 2018, the capping norms has been changed,” he explained.
“So next year, state government will be bearing 35%… maybe in next 3 years state government has to bear 50% of the salary,” he said.
“…practically state government is enhancing their salary 5% every year… However, we are leaving no stone unturned, we are exploring and we are working out,” he assured.
The minister said the department is also faced with other multiple challenges. Another 10,000 ad hoc school teachers are also making similar demand of salary enhancement.
