Shillong, Sep 22: The state government has assured to consider the demand for upgrading ad hoc schools to deficit system, but it will depend on the state’s financial position, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said on Monday.
The minister said after staging protests by Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM), demanding upgradation of ad hoc schools to deficit system.
The government will make a decision based on its financial position, the minister said while highlighting the complexity of the issue and the need for careful consideration.
Mentioning that demand has been long-pending, he said, “It is not very easy for the government to do it because it has huge financial implication,” he said.
He mentioned that the government had enhanced teacher salaries in 2021-2022 and assured, “We will study and see if the financial position of the government is there, we will see in the future what we can do.”
Informing about discussions between senior officials and stakeholders, he said, “But as of now I cannot say anything. I have to see because government whether today or yesterday is a continuous process… we have to see what best we can do for all stakeholders.”
Refusing to comment further, the minister said, “It is not very easy for the government or for the department to do anything but we are here to serve the people and we will try to serve to the best of our abilities, we will try to see the interest of everybody is taken care of.”
The FASTOM has announced that it will continue with its indefinite sit-in demonstration till government is ready to come up with a policy to do away with the ad hoc system in the state.
