SHILLONG, MAY 1: Protesting their exclusion from the state’s newly announced pay structure for teachers, members of the Meghalaya Vocational Teachers Union (MVTU) held a placard demonstration on Friday outside the venue of a felicitation programme.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stopped his convoy to interact with them and assured support “within the limits.”
The protest was staged outside Students’ Field, Jaiaw, where the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association and Meghalaya 4th Teachers Association were holding an honouring ceremony to mark the state government’s “landmark and historic milestone” of introducing a structured pay framework for SSA and 4th teachers to enhance service protection and financial stability.
MVTU president Aibansuk Suchiang said vocational teachers had been left out despite repeated representations.
“As you know that the chief minister is going to release the new pay structure of teachers but sadly us the vocational teachers are not included. We feel neglected,” Suchiang said.
“That is why we decided to come out to the street and display placard as we too we want the government to include the vocational teachers under the new pay structure,” he said.
The union said vocational education began in 2017 but teachers have seen no revision in pay.
“As you know the vocational education was started since 2017 and till now are yet to get any increment or new pay structure or job policy,” Suchiang said.
“We have put forward this demand since 2019 but till today nothing has been done to address our issue despite submitting our memorandums at the minister and chief minister’s level,” he added.
On seeing the protesters, the Chief Minister stopped his convoy, stepped out of his vehicle, and enquired about their grievances.
“I will try to help as much as possible whatever is within the limits. I will do my best,” Sangma told the teachers.
The teachers thanked and appreciated the Chief Minister’s gesture and assurance.
Highlighting their workload, Suchiang said vocational teachers deserve parity.
“The vocational teachers are taking classes from IX to XII for both secondary and higher secondary but despite this, our pay is meagre,” hhe said.
“We feel that we have the right to get new pay structure to ensure equal pay for equal work,” he said, adding that the peaceful demonstration was timed with the Chief Minister’s address on the new pay structure for other teacher categories.
By Our Reporter
