By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 18: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday indicated that the budgetary allocation for the Education department in the 2026-27 fiscal year will see a significant increase, largely due to the financial implications of the government’s recent decision to revise the pay structure of ad hoc and SSA teachers.
He told reporters that the enhanced allocation has become necessary following the Cabinet’s approval of a revised salary structure for more than 23,000 SSA and ad hoc teachers. He explained that the implementation of the decision would directly impact grant-in-aid expenditure, thereby requiring additional budgetary provisions. “There will be a financial impact, especially on grants-in-aid. That is why we have made it applicable from April so that it can be properly factored into the budget,” the Chief Minister said.
While confirming that the Education Department’s budget will increase, he declined to disclose the exact figures. “It will go up. I have the numbers in mind, but it would not be appropriate to share them at this stage. Once the paperwork is complete, the details will be shared at the appropriate time,” he added.
In December 2025, the Cabinet approved a revised pay structure for SSA and ad hoc teachers, a move Sangma had described as a major reform in the state’s education system. The decision introduces a fixed salary structure with annual increments and a seniority-based progression.
According to the Chief Minister, the policy ensures greater employment security for teachers and includes provisions for the government and the teachers to contribute to the Contributory Provident Fund. He said the revised pay policy will come into effect from April 1, 2026, adding that the government is currently working to finalise the implementation framework, including administrative and procedural details. (Contd on P-7)
Revised teachers’ pay likely…
(Contd from P-1) Acknowledging that the decision will place a “substantial” financial burden on the state exchequer, the Chief Minister maintained that the reform is essential to strengthening the education sector and providing long-term stability to thousands of teachers across Meghalaya.
