By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 23: A review committee will examine the demands of protesting ad hoc school teachers seeking an upgrade to the deficit system, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said on Tuesday after a delegation of the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) held discussions with the minister over their long-pending demands.
FASTOM vice president S Jungai told reporters after the meeting that the minister had invited them for talks following their launch of an indefinite sit-in demonstration on Monday.
According to Jungai, the minister acknowledged the contributions of ad hoc teachers but clarified that any decision would depend on the review committee and feedback from stakeholders, including political parties, associations, and school management committees. “At present, the department is working to reduce the number of categories of schools,” Jungai quoted Rymbui as saying.
The minister, however, refrained from committing on whether ad hoc schools would be upgraded to deficit status. “If the government assures a pay scale with a specific implementation date, we will take that as a positive step,” Jungai said, adding that the matter also falls under the purview of the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister.
FASTOM will now consult its members in Malki and Garo Hills before deciding whether to call off or continue the agitation.
