Teachers’ stir yields partial success

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: Ad hoc teachers of the State under the banner of Federation of All Meghalaya Ad hoc Secondary Teachers’ Association (FAMASTA) have decided to intensify their agitation by calling a pen-down strike from September 10-12 and mass casual leave on September 27-28, while deficit teachers under the umbrella of Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) have decided to suspend their ongoing dharna after District Education Officer T Lyngdoh released the order for payment of 30 per cent of the arrears due to them.

The FAMSTA held a silent protest march in the city demanding upgradation to the deficit system while the deficit teachers held dharna in several parts of the city to press for the release of the 30 per cent arrears due to them.

During the protest march, a delegation of the ad hoc teachers met officials of the State Planning Board but after the meeting failed to arrive at any consensus, the teachers decided to march towards the Secretariat.

However, the strong police presence in the area prevented them from coming near the Secretariat and the agitating teachers finally agreed to disperse near the IGP point.

“We will have a general meeting next month where we will decide our future course of action,” the FAMASTA said.

Meanwhile, Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers’ and Employees’ Association (GHDSTEA) from North Garo Hills observed the dharna at District Headquarter Resubelpara on Friday from 9:30 am to 12 noon.

A total of 171 teachers and employees from 23 deficit schools including Upper Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools took part in the dharna.