By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Upper Primary School Teachers Association (MUPSTA) organised the 25th state annual general conference at Asanang, Tura in West Garo Hills on July 27. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma attended the meeting as chief guest and Chief Adviser Thomas A. Sangma was the guest of honour.
The meeting, which was presided over by the MUPSTA vice president Senendro R. Marak, was attended by teachers from all eleven districts of the State.
A memorandum was submitted to the chief minister by association president, K. Shadap, demanding upgradation of all the upper primary schools (improved and adhoc) to deficit system/pattern. Speaking at the meeting, chief minister said the government’s top priority is education sector.
He said that teachers play an important role to provide quality education.
Hesitating to speak on the demand of the teachers in front of public, media as model code of conduct is imposed due to by-election in South Tura and Ranikor, Sangma asked the members of the association to meet him after the by-election to thoroughly discuss all the MUPSTA demands, adding ‘‘please be patient for some time.” Thomas Sangma in his speech expressed his concern for the school teachers as they do not get regular salary.
However, he urged them to wait for 3 to 4 months “The government will carefully pay attention to all the problems of the teachers in the days to come,’’ he said. MUPSTA president, K. Shadap said teachers of all the districts are united and the rumour of division among the upper primary schools teachers is baseless.
The Meghalaya SSA School Association (MSSASA) central body called on chief minister to remind the state government to release the salary and arrears to 12481 SSA teachers in the state.
Aristotle C Rymbai, president of MSSASA, informed the chief minister of their hardships due to non-payment of their salary. The chief minister informed them that the Ministry of Human Resources Development had committed to release the funds of 1st Installment to Meghalaya for payment of SSA teachers’ salary of current academic year in the next few weeks.
The chief minister also assured the delegation of MSSASA that payment of pending arrears for eight months and salary of financial year 2016-17 to 12481 teachers is one of the top priorities of the MDA government and he had taken the initiative from the first day as chief minister.