SHILLONG, Sep 2: The Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) on Tuesday threatened to take to the streets again in protest against the state government’s failure to enhance the salaries of the ad hoc teachers.
The federation is planning to launch a series of agitations to be finalised during a meeting scheduled to be held in Tura on September 13.
FASTOM Vice President, S. Jungai, said the protests will be held simultaneously in Shillong and Tura.
According to him, the ad-hoc teachers across different levels continue to struggle with meagre pay.
He said that FASTOM has been demanding better pay and benefits for the ad hoc teachers, which include upgradation to the deficit system, a 5% annual increment, and the extension of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
He added that a reminder letter outlining the demands was submitted to Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma on March 17, 2023.
Jungai stated that lower primary and Hindi teachers receive Rs 18,000 per month, while the upper primary, secondary, higher secondary, and science teachers get Rs 22,000, Rs 29,000, Rs 33,000, and Rs 31,000, respectively.
He lamented that although these teachers provide education to thousands of students in Meghalaya, they face difficulties in ensuring quality education for their own children due to financial constraints.
“We are among the most neglected teachers in Meghalaya. It is disheartening and frustrating to see the present situation,” he said.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the report of the Meghalaya State Education Commission, the FASTOM leader said, “We hoped that the Commission, which was constituted in July 2023, would address the grievances of ad hoc teachers. However, the final report submitted to the government did not include any recommendations to increase the pay of the ad hoc teachers.”
He said that the federation submitted several memorandums to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, the Education Minister, and officials of the Education Department. “Our demands have not yet been acted upon,” he added.
Jungai further said that the last salary hike was in 2022 following an agitation, but the scale is still not sufficient to ease the financial struggles of the ad hoc teachers, given the rising prices of essential commodities.
“We are finding it extremely difficult to provide quality education for our children and proper healthcare for our families,” he stated.
He said the time has come for the ad hoc teachers to unite and take collective action for their rightful dues.
