Shillong, Sep 5: The state government is examining proposals for enhancement of teachers’ salary and exploring options to fulfill their demands once the state’s financial position stabilises, education minister Rakkam A Sangma said on Friday.
However, he said, the government is not directly responsible for paying the salaries of teachers in grant-in-aid schools.
He was reacting to the ad hoc school teachers’ decision to take to the streets in protest against the government’s failure to enhance their salary.
The minister said these schools were established by School Managing Committees (SMCs), which own the buildings and appoint the teachers.
“The government provides grant-in-aid support for teachers’ salary, but SMCs are also responsible for deciding their salary structure…it is also the responsibility of the SMCs to increase or to pay their salary,” he stated.
However, he assured that once “financial position is stable”, the government would look into the proposal for enhancement of teachers’ salary.
Not only ad hoc, but all categories of teachers have demanded raise in salary.
Pointing out that there are 14,000 – 15,000 SSA teachers as well, he said, “So it is not possible to decide at one go considering the financial position of the government.”
Urging Federation of Adhoc School Teachers of Meghalaya not to resort to agitation, the minister said, “The government is finding ways on how to support them.”
