Shillong, Sept 23: The ad hoc teachers will continue their sit-in as the talks with the state government did not yield results in their favour.
After a meeting with Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Mantri in the morning and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui in the afternoon, Vice President of the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) S Jungai said that what the teachers wanted is a deficit system.
The teachers’ body hoped that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma would be able to decide, as it involves financial implications.
Earlier, Rymbui declined to assure protesting ad hoc school teachers.
According to Rymbui, the government will examine and review various suggestions regarding the proposal to streamline school categories in the state before reaching a decision.
Speaking to reporters, Jungai said the education minister conveyed to the delegation that the decision to upgrade ad hoc teachers to the deficit system depends on the review committee and stakeholders’ input.
“The minister told us that the government and the department recognize the services and contributions of the ad hoc teachers to the state, but as of now, coming to our demands, the government will still study and review the suggestions and the views given by the different associations, political parties and school management committees. After reviewing these suggestions, they will conclude”, he said.
Jungai said that FASTOM is sticking to its demand for upgradation to the deficit system or, at the very least, the deficit pattern, which includes basic pay and dearness allowances (DA).
Jungai said if the government assures a pay scale with a specific implementation date, they would consider it a positive step.
“If the government can assure us that, with effect from which date or January 1, they will provide us with a pay scale, we will be happy with that also”, he said.
