SHILLONG, July 5: The Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) on Tuesday decided to call off their week-long sit-in demonstration after accepting the Cabinet decision on the enhancement of their salaries.
The FASTOM also decided to continue to pressure the state government for a 5% increment in their salaries annually.
Addressing the agitating teachers at the parking lot near the Additional Secretariat, FASTOM spokesperson Mayborn Lyngdoh admitted the enhancement was not as expected but said the government’s step was a victory for each and every ad hoc teacher who has been a part of the movement.
“Sometimes, we have to take some decisions looking at the bigger picture and not by looking on at personal gains,” he said, insisting it would have been too much for the teachers to continue to protest.
“As teachers, we have to think about the interests of the students. We will go back to our schools and perform our regular duties from tomorrow (Wednesday),” Lyngdoh said.
He, however, said the organisation will continue to pursue the issue of 5% annual increment and ensure that the ad hoc teachers get the benefits of the employees’ provident fund, maternity leave, health insurance and others.
The FASTOM also said the state government should now have only three categories of teachers – government school teachers, government-aided school teachers and private school teachers.
“Too many categories of teachers, as of now, hamper the education system. The different categories, whether ad hoc, deficit, and fourth teachers, should be clubbed under the ‘aided’ category,” Lyngdoh said.
Demanding an overhaul of the education system in the state, Lyngdoh said the dropout rate in the state was very high with education becoming expensive in the state.
“Education in Meghalaya is outdated. What we are teaching our students is old and redundant. More focus should be given to subjects such as Mathematics and Science as, without proper command over these two, students won’t be able to perform in competitive examinations,” Lyngdoh said.
