Deficit school teachers move pay panel on career scheme

SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA) has asked the Meghalaya 5th Pay Commission to implement the Assured Career Progressive Scheme for deficit teachers.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, the president of the association, ED Nongsiang, said they have raised the issue before the Commission because teachers under the deficit system have no scope for promotion.
Apart from the scheme, the association also asked the Commission to extend medical reimbursement to different categories of teachers.
“We have also asked the Commission to extend the age of retirement of teachers from 60 to 62 years,” Nongsiang added.
The association also stressed on the need to have sanctioned posts if any new subjects are introduced in schools.
Members of the association recently met the principal secretary of the Education Department, DP Wahlang.
During the meeting, the department informed the teachers that extending national pension benefits to deficit teachers would come along with the 5th Pay Commission. The department further apprised the association of the service rules for teachers.
“We have seen the draft services rules but its copy was not given to us since the views of the education minister and the chief minister were yet to be taken,” he said.
As far as the state education policy is concerned, Nongsiang informed that the government had made the draft and it would be implemented with an action plan.
Nongsiang, though a retired teacher, would continue as the president of the association till the issues pertaining to the 5th Pay Commission are settled.