Shillong, Nov 19: The Meghalaya SSA Schools’ Association (MSSASA) has sought 70% reservation for SSA teachers in any recruitment to vacant posts in schools across the state.
This was one of the eight suggestions submitted by the association to the state government during a meeting to discuss grievances of SSA teachers on Monday.
The meeting, convened after a two-month ultimatum served by MSSASA to ensure job security to 13,000 SSA teachers in the state, was also attended by members of All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers’ Association and Meghalaya Fourth Teachers’ Association.
“We proposed 70% reservation for in-service SSA teachers and 30% through direct recruitment,” said Aristotle Rymbai, president of MSSASA, after the meeting.
The state government last month relaxed upper age limit for SSA teachers from 37 to 45 to allow them to apply for vacancies in government lower primary, upper primary and higher secondary schools.
Besides, the association urged the government to provide reservation for SSA teachers in recruitment of teachers in government schools.
The MSSASA also sought exemption of SSA teachers, who joined services on or before August 23, 2010 or July 29, 2011, from appearing in Meghalaya Teachers’ Eligibility Test (MTET) examination.
Keeping in view 10+2 as required qualification to be SSA teachers, the association proposed a special teachers eligibility test (spl TET) for SSA teachers, who joined services after 2011.
“The government cannot mix us with the fresh candidates as it is totally not fair taking into account that the teachers have rendered their services for more than 20 to 25 years. If other states can conduct special TET exams for SSA teachers, then why not in our state of Meghalaya?” Rymbai said.
Referring to a Central government decision to extend Samagra Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) term by 5 years till 31 March 2026, the association said,” It’s high time the state government came up with a policy to secure the services of SSA teachers.”
Calling for one time special retirement package for SSA teachers since they don’t get pension, the association also urged the government to enhance their salary as per Meghalaya Service Revision of Pay Rules, 2018, including initial basic pay and dearness allowances.
