By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 18: The Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) has announced that it will launch its agitation with a public rally at Malki Ground on September 22. In Garo Hills, the protest will begin two days later, on September 24, with a sit-in demonstration in Tura.
On Thursday, FASTOM publicity secretary, EG War, expressed disappointment that the three to four suggestion papers submitted by the federation to the State Education Commission were ignored.
He alleged that none of the suggestions materialised because the government directly rejected the idea of introducing the deficit system. “We feel this is an insult to all ad hoc teachers in Meghalaya, given the adamant attitude of the government,” War said.
According to him, the government’s rejection of the proposal was the main reason that compelled the federation to call for indefinite agitation, a decision taken during its general meeting at Dobasipara Higher Secondary School, Tura, on September 13.
FASTOM, which represents ad hoc teachers across Meghalaya from lower primary to higher secondary schools, discussed pending demands that were submitted to the government as far back as 2022, as well as in subsequent years 2023 and 2024.
However, War pointed out that the government has not taken any steps so far to upgrade ad hoc schools to the deficit system.
He further stated that the federation had also deliberated on the functioning of the State Education Commission, which was constituted by the government in 2022.
At the time of its formation, War added, the government had assured that the commission would examine FASTOM’s memorandum and demands for upgrading all ad hoc schools from lower primary to higher secondary level to the deficit system.
