Women’s Commission intervention sought
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Schools Association (MSSASA) has written to the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) complaining for the non-extension of benefits under the Maternity Benefits Act.
In a letter to the Chairperson of MSCW, Theilin Phanbuh, the association said that the female elementary teachers working under budget head of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) of Meghalaya do not gain benefits under the Maternity Benefits Act.
After the implementation of the SSA Flagship Programme in Meghalaya, the teachers recruited and appointed under SSA on contractual basis have not availed the benefits of Maternity Leave as entitled to regular teachers, the teachers’ body said.The teachers’ body has complained that it has written to concerned authorities requesting them to look into the matter, however, they were disappointed as the government simply ignored the demand.
“A Special Officer to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department in the letter addressed to the State Project Director of SEMAM-SSA dated November 19, 2019 mentioned the government is of the view that since the teachers under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan are appointed by their respective School Managing Committees (SMC), it is up to the appointing authority to do what is necessary,” the teachers said. The association further said that it reflects the negligence of the education department.
Pointing out that the SMC takes grant from the state government, the association said that the SMC comes under the government and it is their duty to address the teachers’ request.
The association has urged Phanbuh to look into the issue of implementation of Maternity Benefit Act so that the government can provide 182 days’ maternity leave to women employees under SSA as soon as possible.