Teachers’ body calls off strike

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya SSA School Association (MSSASA) called off its indefinite strike that was scheduled to start from Tuesday after requests from parents who are concerned about their wards’ future.
However, the association will continue their protests to ensure that the State Government fulfils its demands.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Aristotle Rymbai of MSSASA said, “From April 19 to 24, we will put up black flags at every SSA school in the State. If the government remains a mute spectator even then, we will start a hunger strike from April 26-28.”
MSSASA general secretary H.M Marbaniang said the association will organise a rally with the support of the parents of their students.
When asked about the non-cooperation of the All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association, Marbaniang said 90 per cent of the teachers in the State support them.
Meanwhile, Marbaniang said the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills has issued a showcause notice to the association for allowing minors to participate in the rally.
“We have a week’s time to respond. The minors who are participating are the children of the teachers. Besides, there were no law and order problem on that day,” he added.
The teachers are demanding payment of pending arrears since April 2016 and salary hike for 4th teachers.
Rymbai said the government should depute untrained teachers as the Project Approval Board has approved 8,000 candidates. “Till date the government has not taken any step to enroll the 8,000 candidates,” he added.
JACATAM postpones stir
The Joint Action Committee of All Teachers’ Association of Meghalaya (JACATAM) has decided to postpone its agitation, which was scheduled for April 20, for the time being as the members have decided to meet either the chief minister or the education minister soon.
JACATAM members met the Commissioner and Secretary of Education, D.P Wahlang, to apprise him of the delay in announcing 100 per cent salary hike for ad hoc teachers, both in the primary and the upper primary sections.
Wahlang told the members that the chief minister on Sunday assured him that he would do the needful.
A JACATAM delegation met R.V Suchiang, Cabinet Secretary and in charge of Finance, on Tuesday and urged him to speed up the matter.