Shillong, Nov 28: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has preferred to remain non-committal on a request for further condonation of SSA teachers’ age to continue in their service.
His response was to a delegation of the Meghalaya State School Aided Association (MSSASA) that had met him on Thursday to discuss two key issues – age limit of SSA teachers and rationalisation of schools.
“In 2022, we took a decision for SSA teachers – the age limit is 40+5 (45),” the minister said, adding, “At that point of time, the government also gave a one-time condonation of age to the teachers who lost their jobs.”
Preferring to remain non-committal on the delegation’s request for further condonation of age, he said, “I told them I cannot give you the reply right now because as Education department, we have to explore all possibilities.”
Informing that the association sought rationalisation of schools before the academic session, the minister said, “I told them, for the low hanging fruits, we will try to do, but it is impossible for me to do all over the state.”
He added that the government has already taken a decision to rationalise schools, but the process would take time.
Rymbui also mentioned that the department is working on a structured grant-in-aid or pay system, which would provide security for teachers and clarity on their salaries.
