SHILLONG:
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, on March 23, said the state government is not going to upgrade the services of the ad hoc teachers to the deficit system, however, their salaries will be increased.
“No, we cannot do that (upgrade). We have already explained what we will do. The government is considering enhancing (the salary) taking into consideration the services, the rise in prices of essential commodities and cost of living,” Rymbui said, adding that it is not advisable for him to divulge any more details about the matter as “it is under consideration of the government”.
The education minister’s statement came against the backdrop of the ongoing, indefinite sit-in staged by the ad hoc teachers under the banner of the Federation of All School Teachers’ of Meghalaya (FASTOM) that began today.
According to him, the government is still working out the financial implications if the decision is to be implemented. “We will tell you as and when we finish the process,” he added.
Rymbui, however, said that the salaries of MSSASA teachers would be released by the end of this month. “I had conveyed that to the delegation of the association that the two months’ salary will be released before March 31 and the matter ends there.” he said.
Reacting to allegations that his assurance in this regard was a “delaying tactic”, Rymbui said, “It is also never my intention to mislead the people. I stand by (my) words that I and government will do as committed.”
The education minister further said that there is no one solution to the problem of having categories of schools in the state, adding that “this will go on” as having one type of government schools will cost the government over Rs 7 to Rs 30 crore every year.
ALSO WATCH: https://themeghalayan.com/the-never-ending-plight-of-ssa-teachers/
