Teachers’ body wants govt to implement pension benefit

SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) has asked the state government to implement the court’s direction to extend pension benefit to government-aided school and college teachers in letter and spirit.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, KJDSTA president ED Nongsiang recalled that the court had given a similar ruling few years ago but it was stayed after the state government appealed against it.
While disposing of a writ petition filed by the Greater Phulbari Area Deficit School, the High Court in its ruling passed on October 11 had asked the government to make rules for extending pension and other benefits to the government-aided schools and college teachers. It should also ensure that the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations are implemented.  Nongsiang said the Fifth Pay Commission had also recommended to the state government for extending pension benefits to the ad hoc and deficit school and college teachers in the state.
He also appreciated the state government for implementing the new pay revision for deficit teachers.
“Unlike previous years, this time we are grateful to the government as we do not have to take to the streets to demand the benefits of Fifth Pay. We are thankful to the chief minister and the education minister,” he added. Meanwhile, the association’s president further informed that they are still studying the draft Meghalaya Aided Secondary and Higher Secondary School Employees Service Rules before submitting their views and suggestions to the state government and by early next year, the views will be submitted to the government.
According to him, for the past 47 years, the ad hoc and deficit teachers were working without any service rules.
Due to this, Nongsiang said service rules were implemented by school managing committees of missionary run schools but the disadvantage was that there was no uniformity. On the state’s education policy which was approved recently by the Cabinet, Nongsiang urged the government to come up with an action plan to ensure the students are benefited from the policy.