Govt-aided teachers want salary on a par with SSA

TURA/SHILLONG: Teachers of government-aided schools in Garo Hills have demanded salary on a par with their counterparts in Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) schools.
In their memorandum submitted under the banner of the Meghalaya Upper Primary School Teachers’ Association (MUPSTA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the teachers lamented that SSA school teachers are receiving Rs 20,497 per month as salary as against their current salary of Rs 16,000, though some government-aided schools have been established way back in the 1950s and functioning longer than SSA schools.
“This is unfair as there are many professionally trained teachers working in government-aided schools. We demand ‘equal work for equal pay’. This principle must be extended to government-aided employees as well,” said members of MUPSTA.
Earlier, teachers were paid a paltry amount of Rs 8,000. In June this year, the Government enhanced salaries of teachers in all categories.
However, government-aided school teachers fell behind and ended up getting less than their counterparts in SSA schools.
A copy of their memorandum has also been submitted to the Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister.
Teachers’ demands
The Ri Bhoi unit of MUPSTA vowed to remain united to get their demands fulfilled. During the general meeting held on Saturday at Nepali UP School in Nongpoh, the association felt that they will not allow differences among teachers.
The organisation has urged teachers who are not part of the body to join hands with the organisation.
New office bearers were appointed with P. Rana (Nepali UPS Nongpoh) as president, Vice President A. Sakra, General Secretary — B. Khymdeit (Umkei UPS), Assistant general secretary — S. Rani (Raid Mawthoh UPS), besides executive members.