By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 4: The Federation of All Meghalaya Ad hoc Secondary Teachers’ Association (FAMASTA) has renewed its demand for better pay and job security for ad hoc teachers.
The association has urged the state government to upgrade the salaries of ad hoc teachers from fixed grants to basic pay with dearness allowance (DA).
FAMASTA president Bina Kharumnuid argued that ad hoc teachers are paid far less than their counterparts in deficit or government schools, stating that introducing basic pay and DA would ensure fairness, boost teachers’ morale, and strengthen the education system.
The association also expressed concern over the draft Meghalaya Education Grant (MEG) policy, which could hurt ad hoc teachers by suggesting that vacancies left by retiring teachers may not be filled, affecting both teachers and students.
Meanwhile, the All Meghalaya Primary School Teachers’ Association (AMPSTA) has urged the Education Department to suspend the implementation of “One UDISE, One Management and One Account” policies across schools, citing widespread confusion and difficulties.
AMPSTA general secretary FC Shullai requested the department to suspend the implementation of these policies and issue proper guidelines to safeguard teachers’ seniority, allow schools to maintain separate accounts for transparency, and ensure reforms are practical and fair.