SHILLONG, March 22: The Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) hit the streets of Shillong on Tuesday, protesting the state government’s delay in fulfilling the demand of upgradation of all ad hoc schools to deficit pattern with effect from 2019.
The protestors, numbering around 30, took out a march from outside the Raj Bhavan to Malki ground holding banners and placards with messages that read, “We don’t just teach, we inspire”, “Heed to our needs and make it better”, “Don’t make the teaching fraternity a begging community”, “Education can’t be top priority if teachers are not happy” etc.
The teachers warned of launching a statewide protest in April if the demand is not fulfilled by then.
FASTOM executive member, Mayborn Lyngdoh said it was a symbolic protest staged on Tuesday to send a message to the state government.
He said five members of FASTOM will sit outside the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) office from 11 am to 3 pm on Wednesday on a rotational basis in protest.
“The government should not take it lightly just because we are not going full swing now. We are thinking about the students and they should not be affected in this tussle between teachers and government,” Lyngdoh said.
“However, we also have a message for the government that if it does not take immediate action, we are going to launch a full-scale agitation the moment April arrives, whether or not we get permission for it,” he added.
Lyngdoh criticised the government’s alleged lackadaisical attitude towards teachers. He said the government makes promises to the teaching community but does not fulfil them.
“Teachers are made to believe they are going to be upgraded to deficit pattern but nothing happened till date. We do not understand the government’s position,” he said.
The FASTOM executive member appealed to the parents of students to extend their support to the movement. He claimed adequate funds have been earmarked for the teachers and the Education Minister and the teachers are aware of it.
“We are looking forward to working together with the government and hope that it will respond immediately because the teachers are getting tired and they cannot wait any longer,” Lyngdoh added.
Currently, the monthly salary of a lower primary school ad hoc teacher is Rs 12,000. The pay of an upper primary, a secondary and a higher secondary school teacher is Rs 16,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 24,000 respectively. There is no additional allowance for any of these categories. The teachers said their demand is non-negotiable.
