As Teachers’ Day approaches we hear rumblings from different teachers’ associations in Meghalaya threatening to take to the streets on September 5. This is unfortunate and it demeans a community who have dedicated themselves to educating the younger generation. Why should teachers have to agonise over their remuneration? What is it that prevents the Government from paying them regularly instead of doing so on a quarterly basis? Is this fair to teachers? Would any other section of government employees remain quiet if they were deprived of their monthly emoluments? It is learnt that the reason for the delay in release of funds for payment of teachers’ salaries lies in bad budgeting practices. The bureaucracy in the Education Department does not seem to empathise with the teaching community. The tug of war between the two is as old as the state and no progress has been in these many decades. What does this tell us about governance practices? Surely there is something wrong in a system where a section of government aided employees have to wait for three months before they receive their due wages. How are the teachers expected to manage their households in these dry periods?
Like everyone else, teachers too have families to support and bills to pay. No one is going to wait for three months to receive their dues. The MeECL would cut off electricity if the bills are not paid regularly. Schools and colleges expect their students to pay their fees on time, which is every month. It is not understood therefore as to how the government does not understand the plight of teachers. What is it that prevents the Education Department from adopting an accounting procedure that does not go into a three month backlog all the time? Is there no financial wizard in the State who can offset this erroneous procedure that has continued for so many years? Truly it does not speak too highly of our Government and the Education Department in particular. When will the teachers receive what is due to them and when will Government stop the indignities heaped on this community?