Teachers threaten protest over delay in implementation of pay revision

SHILLONG, APR 24: Deficit schoolteachers in the state have threatened to hit the street to pressurise the state government to implement the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission for extending the benefit to them.

This was expressed after the education minister Lahkmen Rymbui could not give any assurance to a joint delegation of the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA) which met him here on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, KJDSTA President ED Nongsiang said that the teachers are very disappointed since today’s meeting was with the expectation that some kind of decision on this regard could be given from the side of the government.

“There were no officials from the department along with the education minister. Therefore, he (Rymbui) expressed his inability to give any assurance and only inform that he will have to study the matter,” he said.

When informing that the schools have already sent the proposed estimate amount required to be paid to the teachers under the new pay revision as sought by the education department, Nongsiang however said that the minister’s reply was that he was not aware.

The KJDSTA president further said that the two associations will sit for a meeting later today to discuss and decide on the next course of action to ensure that the deficit teachers are not deprived of their rights.

“If the head of the department is not aware, we feel it doesn’t sound nice at all,” he said while informing that they have decided not to discuss on other issues related to education policy and school textbooks since the minister had expressed ignorance during the meeting.

He said earlier after the Fifth Pay Commission submitted its recommendations, the deficit teachers were having high hope that they will also be included but unfortunately, the state government last year had approved the new pay revision only to government employees.

In the previous years, Nongsiang said that teachers were forced to go to the streets to demand the government to implement recommendation of the pay commissions for extending the same benefits to them also.

Asked, the teachers said possibility for taking out to the street is there as it has become like a routine for them to ensure that they get their rights.

By Our Reporter