Shillong, Sept 26: Entering the fourth day of protest, the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) on Thursday resolved to sustain its ongoing indefinite sit-in-demonstration until the state government acquiesces to their demand of upgrading adhoc schools to the deficit system.
This decision was made after a delegation of the federation had recent met the education minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who stated th at the government will thoroughly examine and review various suggestions regarding the proposal to streamline school categories in the state before reaching a decision.
Speaking to media persons, vice president of FASTOM S Jungai said that the proposal for the Meghalaya Education Grant (MEG) is still in its initial stage, and adhoc teachers are uncertain about its implementation.
“As adhoc teachers, we do not really know whether it will be implemented or not at the end of the day. So, we will stick to our main demand that is the upgradation of adhoc schools to deficit system or deficit pattern,” he stated.
Jungai expressed frustration over the lack of official communication from the government despite sending six reminders to the Chief Minister’s office.
“We will continue until the chief minister responds to our demands,” he said.
Jungai pointed out that financial constraints are often cited as a reason for not addressing the demands of adhoc teachers.
“(However), we know only one thing if the government has the “political will” I don’t think that financial constraint will be a problem,” he added.
When asked, the vice president said that the federation is demanding for a written assurance from the state government that adhoc teachers will receive basic pay plus other allowances.
Refering to recently held meeting with Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who stated that the government would study and review all the suggestions and views (of stakeholders on the proposed streamlining of school categories), Jungai said that the fact is that the adhoc teachers cannot wait indefinitely for the government’s decision.
“(Therefore), what we want at present is in principle that the government will give in writing to the federation that they will provide adhoc teachers with basic pay plus other allowances. That is our stand at present,” he added.
The teacher leader said the delegation had aso requested the education minister and commissioner & secretary to convey to the chief minister that the “adhoc teachers are waiting for his decision”.
The current salaries of adhoc teachers range from Rs 18,000 for lower primary, Rs 22,000 upper primary, Rs 29,000 secondary, Rs 31,000 science teachers, Rs 33,000 higher secondary.
