By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pre-Primary School Teachers Union (MPPSTU) under the banner of the Citizen Forum on Human Rights (CFHR) on Thursday demanded the state government to formulate a basic pay standard for all the pre-primary school teachers besides laying down guidelines to specify their qualification and upgrading the pre-primary to lower primary schools.
Stating that the present salary is not enough to sustain their livelihood, the Union reiterated that the government needs to increase the salary and formulate a basic pay standard which would include traveling allowances, dearness allowances, medical allowances besides others.
At present, the pre-primary teachers are getting Rs 6000 per month, an amount which was increased from Rs 1800 in December 2011 by the state government. There are around 710 pre-primary teachers in the State with 300 from government and 410 from non-government schools.
The Union also pointed out that as of now there are no specific guidelines to specify the qualification of the teachers. “Even an under-matriculate can teach in schools, especially in the rural areas, where the number of educated people are less”, MPPSTU president Dapkupar Kharbuli said.
Meanwhile, president of the CFHR-state level W Kharnaior has asked the government to improve the basic education facilities in the rural areas, especially with regards to appointment of qualified science teachers in every school.
Kharnaior also stressed on the need to impart training to every teacher at the block and district levels besides reiterating on the need to implement the Right to Education Act in the State.