SHILLONG, March 18: The state government on Thursday sidestepped Opposition’s pressure with regard to regularsiation of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers in Meghalaya in line with other states.
Replying to the zero hour notice moved by Congress MLA from Mawsynram HM Shangpliang, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui informed the House that regularisation of the services of RMSA teachers cannot be considered as they are appointed under contractual basis, adding that signing of agreement is mandatory for any contract.
Rymbui further emphasised that in order to fill any vacancy, due procedure needs has to be taken up, which takes time.
The minister also informed that the Education Ministry has approved 81 secondary schools in Meghalaya, while the state government has made 79 schools operational with recruitment of 379 assistant teachers, of which 63 are headmasters and 316 are assistant teachers.
Rymbui also admitted that the teachers have had issues of intermittent salary due to insufficient funds received under the Samagra Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).
He, however, informed that the state government has released Rs 10 crore, Rs 72 lakh, Rs 69,000 and Rs 357, respectively, to clear the salaries of the teachers till December 2020, even as he informed that the matter pertaining to the enhancement of salary of the headmasters is under examination.
Admitting that funds for maintenance of school could not be released due to the delay in release of funds, Rymbui said that financial aid under maintenance grant to school varies from school to school and depends on enrolment. He, however, said that the government has released Rs 49.5 lakh to schools under SSA.
“Around 25 schools will have solar panels within this year,” the minister said, while adding that the government has received approval for construction of nine residential teachers quarters in most interior areas to ease the travel time.
Earlier, Congress MLA Shangpliang, while highlighting the problems of the teachers, said that many of these schools are located in remote areas as a result of which teachers are forced to sojourn in rented houses.
Shangpliang had also opined that the government should regularise the services of RMSA teachers in line with other states.
Government to examine sericulture appointments
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, has said that the proposal of regularising 191 posts in the department of sericulture and weaving has to be examined legally before reaching any solution on the matter.
Replying to a short duration discussion during the Budget session on Thursday, Conrad said the matter is very complex and if the state government does not regularise these posts, the higher posts will not be regularised either.
The chief minister, however, assured that the government is looking into the issue and instructions have been given to districts for selecting candidates for few posts.
He maintained that the issue needs legal examination as it could affect other departments too.
Earlier, Mawsynram MLA, HM Shangpliang, had suggested the state government to intervene forthwith into the issue.
