Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The assistant college teachers of the state have expressed their happiness after the Meghalaya High Court quashed the notification issued by the government which debarred teachers of government aided colleges from holding office in any political organisation or local bodies, or to take part in any election activities.
One of the assistant professors and Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidate from Mawlai, Brightstarwell Marbaniang told reporters that there were six of them who had filed the petition.
Marbaning informed that the process to debar the teachers of government aided colleges started in 2018, when the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government led by the National People’s Party (NPP) passed the Meghalaya State Education Policy, 2018.
He pointed out that as per the Meghalaya State Education Policy, 2018, clause 7.4.3 debars teachers from taking part in politics.
According to him, the teachers went through the draft policy when the government asked for suggestions but nowhere it was mentioned that they will not be allowed to take part in politics.
Marbaniang said that this clause to bar teachers from being involved in politics was inserted when the draft was passed by the Cabinet and subsequently notified by the government.
Meanwhile, Marbaniang pointed out that only in 2021 the state government brought a notification amending Rules 6 and 7 of the Service Rules of the government aided colleges which had earlier allowed teachers to take part in politics.
He pointed out that Rules 6 and 7 allows any teacher to take part in politics but they will have to take leave if they plan to contest elections.
Marbaniang said that this rule was applicable in the state since 1972 till the run up to the 2018 Assembly elections.