By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 22: The All Meghalaya Primary School Teachers’ Association (AMPSTA) has warned that it will launch a statewide agitation if the Education Department fails to address long-standing concerns involving teachers’ welfare.
After a peace rally held in Shillong on Friday, AMPSTA general secretary FC Shullai told the media that the association’s State Level Executive Committee will soon convene a meeting in either Tura or Rongjeng to set a deadline for government action.
“If the government does not respond within the stipulated time, we will launch statewide protests,” Shullai warned.
One of the key issues highlighted was the Education Department’s order that made retirement at 58 years mandatory for Grant-in-Aid teachers. The order was withdrawn following protests.
Regarding the Central Provident Fund (CPF), Shullai expressed frustration over the lack of progress. He said teachers might approach the court if the government fails to act.
“Teachers’ CPF funds, including accrued interest, have crossed several crores of rupees. The nodal officer was supposed to close the joint account and issue individual accounts, but this has not been done,” Shullai said.
He criticised the implementation of the roster system at the primary level, calling it impractical. He said as many vacant posts were not filled up, it led to the closure of at least four schools due to the lack of teachers.
The AMPSTA general secretary took issue with a recent government order that said if four schools exist within the same campus, they will now be managed under a single school management committee.
“How can one management committee oversee different schools when the teachers’ salaries vary?” Shullai argued.
AMPSTA opposed the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 19, 2025 between the Education Department and the Tura Mothers’ Union to manage 20 lower primary schools in West Garo Hills.
Although Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma suspended the MoU on August 18, Shullai alleged that it was the result of efforts made by certain senior officials to destabilise the education system.
He said AMPSTA is not entirely against the proposed Meghalaya Education Grant (MEG) system. He acknowledged that some proposals within the MEG could benefit ad-hoc and other categories of teachers drawing meagre salaries.
“We welcome higher salaries for ad-hoc teachers under the MEG but we strongly oppose the idea of deducting the salaries of deficit teachers to fund this. The government’s attempt to phase out the deficit system is completely unacceptable,” he said.
He urged the government to allocate separate funds to enhance ad-hoc teachers’ pay without affecting deficit teachers.
He also voiced concern over the government’s plans to merge Deficit, Ad-hoc, and SSA schools under the MEG system, warning that it could eventually lead to the complete dismantling of the deficit system.
“Current teachers may not be affected immediately, but future generations will bear the brunt when posts are absorbed under the MEG,” he cautioned.
While not directly blaming the MDA government for the confusion, Shullai accused certain senior officials of pushing ill-advised changes.
“These officers won’t be around when the damage unfolds. It’s the students who will ultimately suffer,” he said.
