By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 22: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Monday made it clear that it would be a herculean task for the state government to accept the demands of the agitating ad hoc school teachers for upgrade to the deficit system.
Rymbui acknowledged that it was a long-pending issue but admitted that it would not be an easy task for the state government to fulfil their demands.
“It involves huge financial requirement. In 2021-22, we had enhanced the salary of the ad hoc teachers. But we will examine the demands keeping in mind the financial position of the government,” Rymbui told reporters.
He also pointed out that the objective of the government is to serve the people and they will try their best to look into the interests of the teachers.
According to the minister, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department, Vijay Kumar Mantri has already held discussions with the associations of the teachers’ community on the matter.
The ad hoc teachers under the banner of FASTOM have been demanding better pay and benefits.
The demands include upgradation to deficit system, 5% annual increment, and extension of retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The current salary of ad hoc teachers range from ₹18,000 for lower primary, ₹22,000 upper primary, ₹29,000 secondary, ₹31,000 science teachers, and ₹33,000 higher secondary teachers.
Earlier, former Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma had assured FASTOM that the government will examine proposals for enhancement of teachers’ salary when the financial position stabilises.
His statement came after FASTOM announced its decision to take to the streets in protest against the state government’s failure to enhance the salaries of ad hoc teachers in the state.
