Shillong, Nov 11: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has urged deficit teachers to withdraw their indefinite strike and requested them to come for dialogue as the “government’s is always open”.
In his appeal to the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA), which is spearheading the strike from Wednesday, Rymbui said a class boycott would hurt students the most.
The minister said the government has kept the teachers informed of what has been done and what will be done.
The Commissioner & Secretary held a meeting last week and a fresh letter was sent to the association’s president and secretary on Wednesday, he said.
“Talks to resolve issues relating to the management of schools are held from time to time, and with regard to the problems of the deficit teachers, the government has also informed them what has been done and what will be done,” he said.
“We are governed by democracy, which we have to respect. The government does not act arbitrarily and does not use force when it comes to any matter relating to the rights of workers,” he added.
Appealing for restraint, he said: “We will not gain anything from this strike, from boycotting classes, because this affects school children. I feel we should not make school children, our own children, suffer loss.”
“As far as the government is concerned, our doors are open. When talks and communication from the government are ongoing, I hope the teachers will understand what the Government has done and what it will do. I appeal to them to call off their class boycott,” he said.
Rymbui said disruption would only harm the teachers’ cause and accused the association of timing the strike to pressure the government.
“Any work that involves disruption will definitely affect benefits that we cannot deny. The timing of this strike is also in that manner, to see how to put pressure on the Government to get certain things,” he said.
On Dearness Allowance, he said the due enhancement has been made and arrears have been referred to the Finance department for release.
“With regard to DA, it is not that we have not enhanced it, we have enhanced what was due to be enhanced. Yes, arrears remain, and on that also we have moved to the Finance Department for release,” he said.
On salaries, he attributed last month’s delay to a change in the head of account affecting all government employees.
“With regard to salary also, we pay it, but last month there was a change in the head of account, not only for school teachers but for all government employees, and there was a slight delay which we are trying to address,” he said.
On MACP and CPF, he said: “Whatever can be done, we will do what is necessary. As for the talks on the CPF Rules 2023, 2026, they know it clearly. I need not explain, they know better.”
Rejecting the charge that the government is blocking declaration of vacant deficit posts, Rymbui pointed to daily teacher recruitment advertisements.
“Every day, there are advertisements for teacher posts. To allege that the government is blocking it, that is not correct,” he said.
“School managements and committees come to us if there are any problems, and we always address the requirements,” he added.
