Teachers demand upgradation of adhoc schools to deficit pattern

SHILLONG, JUN 7: The Federation of All Meghalaya Adhoc Secondary Teachers’ Association (FAMASTA) on Thursday demanded the state government for upgradation of over 400 adhoc secondary schools to deficit pattern to ensure social security to more than 2000 teachers.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the chief minister Conrad K Sangma, FAMASTA president B Kharumnuid said that the demand for upgrading the adhoc secondary schools was a long pending of the association since 2006.

She said in the past the state government used to bring a number of adhoc grant-in-aid schools to deficit system and during the tenure of former chief minister late Purno Agitok Sangma, a total of 60 adhoc schools were also considered to be upgraded to deficit system.

But later in 1991, the then state government under the leadership of late BB Lyngdoh banned the system and kept it in abeyance. However, in 1993-94, nine adhoc secondary schools were again brought under the deficit pattern and since then no further upgradation took place, Kharumnuid said.

The association president also questioned as to why has the government discontinued when it can very well absorb steadily adhoc schools into deficit pattern.

“Since 1998, the association time and again has been placing the grievances to the government regarding the enhancement of salary and the government kept on enhancing the salary by Rs 2,000 – Rs 3,000 and at present the adhoc teachers are receiving Rs 20,000 per month which is totally unjustified compared to the salary of the deficit teachers because we are equally qualified and have the same rules and norms like other government and deficit schools of the state,” she said.

At present, the state has a total of 434 adhoc schools with 2978 teachers. The association in its memorandum submitted to the chief minister urged the government to eliminate discrepancy between adhoc and deficit school teachers.

“It is desirous that all teachers be treated equally with regards to pay, pay hikes, incentives, pension and other perks. This will eliminate the ill feeling among the teaching community. Therefore we demand equal pay for equal work and expect sooner all adhoc school will be upgraded to deficit pattern,” she said.

Asked, the association president said that the chief minister has assured that he would soon convene a meeting with the education department to discuss the matter. According to her, the demand if consider will ensure job security to the teachers in the state.

By Our Reporter