By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 27: North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum on Saturday extended full support to the ongoing agitation by the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM), calling their demand legitimate and deserving of serious attention from the government.
Nongrum said his visit to the protest site at Malki Ground was part of his duty as an elected representative, adding that it was important to stand with the teachers as they pressed for what he described as a rightful demand. He observed that the issue was no trivial matter and stressed that teachers were dedicating their lives to the cause of education. According to him, there are about 8,000 such teachers across the state who have been serving despite difficult circumstances.
The MLA pointed out that the teachers were still stuck with fixed pay and were struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. He expressed hope that the government would not neglect them, but instead address their grievances with fairness. He added that education reforms were required from the government’s side, and urged it to respond judiciously.
Nongrum also highlighted that the protesting teachers had placed two options before the government and left the final decision to the authorities. He underlined that the central issue was the demand for enhancement of salaries, which he described as genuine.
On Thursday, the federation resolved to continue its indefinite sit-in demonstration until the state government concedes to its demand for upgrading ad hoc schools to the deficit system.
Earlier, a delegation of FASTOM had met Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who assured them that the government would thoroughly examine and review the suggestions placed before it regarding the proposal to streamline school categories in the state before taking a final decision.
