Adhoc teachers’ issue different from teachers of other categories: CM
Shillong, Sep 30: With multiple categories of teachers and separate demands from regular pay to salary hike, the state government has found it challenging to clear its position on the demands of adhoc teachers, who have been staging an indefinite sit-in demonstration for the past nine days.
However, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured the agitating adhoc teachers under Federation of Adhoc School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) of examining their demand for upgrading adhoc schools to deficit system.
The issue of adhoc teachers is distinct from other groups, as they receive their salaries on time, albeit with occasional delays, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.
Primary concern of adhoc teachers is enhancement of their salary package, he said.
The government is examining the demand, considering its broader implications on other teacher groups, such as SSA and adhoc school teachers.
The Chief Minister emphasized that agreeing to the demands of one group could have far-reaching consequences for other groups. Therefore, the government needs to consider all aspects before making a decision.
“The government is examining all these aspects because these are all connected. Once we agree to the enhancement of one particular group of teachers, say the SSA, then of course we have adhoc school teachers and other groups that are there,” he said.
Underlining the need to bring on board all stakeholders, he said, “Therefore, we need to look at all the other aspects and then make a decision. Therefore, this is complicated as it has got larger ramification throughout and we have to see.”
Sangma assured that the government is aware of the concerns of all groups but must balance these demands with the limitations it faces.
“Of course, everybody has concerns and everybody’s concerns are genuine I don’t deny that but we also have to see the limitations that we have and see how we take things forward,” he said.
He, meanwhile, made it clear that the government’s response to the adhoc teachers’ demand is not about “bailing out” anyone but rather about addressing their legitimate concerns within the government’s means.
