FROM A REPORTER
SHILLONG, Aug 24: In a major setback for the Joint Action Committee of All Teachers Association of Meghalaya (JACATAM), the state government on Wednesday expressed its ibility to meet their demand of provincialisation of their services citing fincial constraints on the state exchequer.
The association after a long discussion with Chief Secretary KS Kropha and top officials of the Education department, decided to suspend its two-week general strike from August 26.
The teachers have also informed that they will be calling a meeting of all its members in Garo hills including in Khasi and Jaintia hills to discuss on the outcome of the meeting and to chalk out future plan of action since the state government was uble to meet 100 percent of its demand.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, AD Nongsiang, Chairman of JACATAM, said, “We are not happy with the outcome of the meeting. However, there were certain points raised by us in which the government has agreed to take up but the main demand for provincialisation of teachers’ services have not been agreed by the government.”
Stating that the association will continue to demand provincialisation of teachers’ services, he, however, said, “Despite the fact that the state government has not accepted 100 per cent of our demands but certain points raised by us have been accepted and considering the interest of the students, we have decided to suspend our ongoing general strike from August 26.”
The association has also requested all the teachers under JACATAM to return to their school duties on August 26.
When asked if the state government is willing to fulfill their demand in the near future, he said, “During our discussion with the government officials today, it clearly indicates that the government has not made any commitment to provincialisation of services of teachers.”
He said the state government will need an additiol Rs. 400 crores from the current Rs. 500 crore for provincialisation of services of the teachers.
The association has been demanding provincialisation of service of 14, 476 teachers in about 4770 government aided schools in the state right from primary up to the higher secondary level.
Informing that certain points raised by the association have been agreed by the government excluding provincialisation of service, he said, “The social security of all the teachers under the deficit and deficit pattern and Adhoc schools to be initiated to include new pension schemes substituting the retirement benefits.”
The government has also agreed to upgrade Adhoc schools into deficit system on merit system on a phase by phase manner.
He said the government has also agreed to enhance the grant of 100 percent to the lower primary and higher primary Adhoc schools and Hindi teachers.
He added, “This is under process and we expect it to be completed very soon.”
He informed that the government is also open to include representatives from the teacher’s body in Discussion Committee with regards to any on Educatiol policy or System in the State.