Teachers Association

Newmai News Network

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Joint Action Committee of All Teachers’ Associations of Meghalaya (JACATAM) today demanded the State government to “provincilize” the services of over 13, 679 schoolteachers teaching in both ad hoc and deficit schools of the state even as it set two-week time as ‘ultimatum’.Addressing newsmen here on Saturday, JACATAM chairman ED Nongsiang said, “We demand provincialization of services of all the teachers of both ad hoc and deficit schools right from primary level to higher secondary level.”According to him, there are a total of 13, 679 schoolteachers teaching in 4047 ad hoc and deficit schools (primary to higher secondary schools) in the state which included 6603 teachers from 2193 deficit schools and 7076 from 1854 ad hoc schools.He further informed that a two week ultimatum which would be effective from August 6 has been served to the state government to look into the demands put forth by us.However, the chairman said that the associations of the teachers are also preparing to chalk out agitational programmes if the state government turn a deaf ear to their call after the deadline has expire on August 14.According to him, with the provincialization of services, the teachers teaching the government aided schools will be allowed to enjoy a ‘uniform salary’ besides providing them security even after their retirement.“As of now there is no uniform payscale for these teachers,” he added.Meanwhile, the JACATAM further demanded the state government to reconsider its decision to provincialize all deficit schools which are ‘not’ run by ‘religious institutions’ in the state.Recently, the State government in a notification has announced its move to provincialize all “deficit” secondary and higher secondary schools which are not run by religious organization.“The move is objectionable,” the chairman said while questioning on decision of the government inspite of the fact that India being a secular country.On asked if the government agrees to provincialize all the schools both ad hoc and deficits, the committee also felt that the idea of taking over the schools by the government will only be detrimental to the educational system of the state.He said, “We don’t want the government to take over the schools as this will affect the education standards of the state,” adding “The government does not have the capability to monitor all the schools which will only lead to confusion.”The other issue discussed during the meeting including the failure of the government to deliver salary to teachers on a monthly basis which is as per a notification issued on July last. “Till today we are not getting our salary on a monthly basis like what the government has promised,” he said.