Centre gives nod to ‘high pay’ for SSA teachers in State

SHILLONG: In a relief to the SSA teachers serving in the State, the Centre has approved a substantial hike in their pay.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge Education, RC Laloo informed on Thursday that the Project Approval Board of the Centre recently agreed to give high honorarium to all SSA teachers in the State following a meeting attended by the officials from the education department in Delhi.
The positive response of the Centre comes following the proposal of the State government in this regard.
Currently, the SSA teachers in the lower primary section are availing Rs 9,200 per month while those in the upper primary section are drawing Rs 9,900.
“The amount will be hiked substantially with the recent approval of the Centre,” Laloo said.
The funds for the payment of salary will be shared by the Centre and the State Government in a 90-10 pattern.
“While the Centre has approved its outlay for teachers’ salary, the matter related to the share of the State Government will now go to the Planning and Finance departments,” Laloo said.
Currently there are 12,535 SSA  teachers both in LP and UP sections, Laloo said, while adding that those who are qualified will get the hiked honorarium.
Out of the 12535 SSA teachers, 48 will be new primary teachers and six will be new upper primary teachers. There are 5766 existing primary teachers and 6715 upper primary teachers.