SHILLONG: As schools and colleges in the city prepare for Teachers’ Day celebrations on Monday, a section of the teachers fighting for their rights wonders whether the respect bestowed on the fraternity is a one-day phenomenon.
The problems that are plaguing the education sector for years are aplenty and the State government seems indifferent to finding solutions. For instance, Meghalaya does not have an education policy despite the government’s contemplation.
R.S Khardewsaw, general secretary of All Meghalaya Lower Primary School Association, said an education policy must be immediately implemented as it would bring uniformity among all categories of teachers. “It is meaningless to celebrate Teachers’ Day and show respect to teachers for one day while the government neglects them on other days,” he added.
Provincialization of services is another bone of contention for more than three years now and the teachers’ fight for the cause has yielded no result so far.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, JACATAM chairman E.D Nongsiang said Teachers’ Day celebrations in the State “have become a mere ritual” because the government neglects even those teaching in rural areas.
“Though the State government has taken a few measures to improve the service condition of teachers, these are not enough,” said Nongsiang.
The JACATAM chairman also questioned the current system of nominating teachers for awards as he feels the process is not transparent.
There is also a need for revamping the education system in the State, feel many teachers. Kenneth Shadap, president of the Meghalaya Upper Primary School Teachers’ Association, said there are schools which are celebrating their golden jubilee but they continue to be ad hoc. He alleged that upgrade of schools depend on “political backing”.
Shadap had sought the government’s help in monitoring the education sector, “but the State government does not want to do anything in this regard as it will make the MLAs offenders”.
“There will be no future for qualified teachers in Meghalaya if the situation continues to be like this,” he said. That the State does not have a proper policy or an Education Commission shows that the government is not serious, he added.
