SHILLONG, MAY 31: Deficit school teachers in the state on Thursday announced their first phase of agitation against the alleged “adamant attitude” of the state government to implement the new pay revision as per the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees’ Association (GHDSTEA) held yesterday.
However, the announcement made came three days before the expiry of the two-week deadline served by the associations after the state government failed to give any positive response towards their demand.
Speaking to reporters here, KJDSTA president ED Nongsiang said, “We have decided to go for agitational programme from Monday next since the ultimatum given to the government will end on June 3.”
He informed that the first phase of agitation would begin with the wearing of black arm bands or flags by the teachers on June 4 and 5 which will be followed by a rally to be held at Madan Iewrynghep on June 6. It will be attended by over 6,000 deficit school teachers from Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills region.
“If there is no positive response yet from the government till Wednesday, we would be compelled to intensify our agitation which will accordingly be announced during the rally,” Nongsiang said.
Asked, the KJDSTA president said that the chief minister Conrad K Sangma during a meeting with the delegation of the two associations on April 27 had assured that his government would take a call on the matter within a period of 10 days.
He however said now it has been more than weeks, the state government is yet to take any decision on whether to implement the new revise pay for the teachers. According to him, most of the schools have already submitted their requirements to the education department on the financial implication.
“We hope that the state government takes necessary measures before the start of our agitation,” Nongsiang said.
Reacting to a query, the association president said that the delay in implementing the new revise pay only reflect that the state government is not giving priority to the education sector and is considering the teachers as burden to the state’s exchequer.
By Our Reporter
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