Govt to require Rs 300 Cr to regularise SSA teachers: Rakkam

Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Thursday expressed the government’s inability to regularise the services of over 12,541 SSA teachers.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said the government would require over Rs 200 to Rs 300 crore to implement such a decision.

“If government decides to regularise they will demand for the same scale of pay as government teachers are getting now. Therefore, it will be a huge burden for the state, which does not have its own revenue resources,” he said.

The MSSASA has recently reiterated its demand for creation of posts and shifting of 12541 existing SSA teachers from State Implementing Society to State Education department on regular basis as per provision of RTE/SSA norms.

“As of now, the government is exploring all kinds of possibilities and we are going (to wait) for recommendation from the state education commission and we are also finding what best can we do to resolve all issues not only SSA but also adhoc teachers,” he said.

The education minister informed that there are some proposals on the need to create district cadres.

“They (district cadres) will be absorbed without giving any pay scale increment but it will recognize,” he said.

Stating that teachers are presently being appointed by the school managing committees (SMCs) and not by the government, Sangma said, “Taking over as of now by the government there are lots of complex issues as they are not appointed by the government. If the government decides to take over, many SMCs will not allow it. For example, there are many schools run by the churches and some are getting SSA funds, if we decide to take over that particular school, SMC will not allow it.”

He said after the coming of the NEP, the government is working on what can be done adding there are many SSA teachers, who have already been absorbed in the government through MTET and proper recruitment.

He said the government may also decide to have direct recruitment and departmental absorption from the SSA based on the qualification and criteria laid down by the ministry of education.

“So all things we are exploring so all these will not be ruled out,” Sangma maintained.

He said that the government is also planning for departmental exams so that qualified teachers can appear.

“We are exploring the best possibilities. We are also in discussion that these things may work but at the end of the day we will decide which is best suited the interest of every teacher of the state,” he added.