SSA teachers’ pay hike among suggestions considered by govt

SHILLONG, Dec 4: The state government has considered five out of the eight recommendations submitted by the Meghalaya SSA School Association (MSSASA) which include enhancement of their salaries.
“We were also given a detailed presentation on the eight points we submitted during the first meeting. Out of these, the Education department has informed us that five points are being taken into consideration, while further discussions are needed on the remaining three,” said MSSASA president Aristotle Rymbai after a meeting with officials of the Education department on Wednesday.
Rymbai elaborated on the five points under consideration, which include the implementation of a pay structure for SSA teachers and an enhancement of their salaries in line with the Meghalaya Service Revision of Pay Rules, 2018.
Another point involves exempting SSA teachers who joined on or before August 23, 2010, or July 29, 2011, from the Meghalaya Teachers’ Eligibility Test (MTET).
He also noted the need to exempt teachers who joined before the MCTA notification issued on August 23, 2010, and highlighted the demand for a special package scheme for SSA teachers who are nearing retirement or who are over-aged.
“The government’s response is positive, and we are hopeful that the next meeting, scheduled before Christmas, will yield further favourable outcomes,” Rymbai added.
He further informed that the three remaining points requiring discussion include conducting a special Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) for SSA teachers who joined after 2011, maintaining the pupil-teacher ratio as per norms, and classifying SSA teachers into four categories to streamline their roles and responsibilities.