Minister disappoints teachers' bodies

A Reporter

SHILLONG, April 24: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teacher Association (KJDSTA) and Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA) expressed their dissatisfaction after a meeting with Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday as he was unable to give them any assurance over their demands.

The two teachers’ associations, during the meeting, carried with them a few points for discussions which included the recommendations of implementing the 5th pay commission, service rule for deficit school teachers, education policy, issues like quality of education, among others.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, KJDSTA president ED Nongsiang said: “We are disappointed with the meeting as the minister has not given us a clear assurance on our demand.”

He said that the meeting was not effective as the minister was unable to understand the issues and problems concerning the teachers and had instead told them that their demands would be examined.

“The minister has called us for talks today. However, none of the officers from the department was present during the meeting. Thus, he has expressed his inability to take any decision on our demands,” he said.

Nongsiang said that the minister had not been able to give any assurance even on the first point of demand, which is the implementation of the 5th pay commission.

“We have asked him for a time frame for the fulfillment of our demands. But, he was unable to give us a concrete time and instead said that he had first examine our demands,” he said.

Nongsiang added, “We’ve told the minister that since he had invited us for discussion, he should have done some homework on our issues.”

He said, “If need arises then we will agitate in order to achieve our demands.”

He, however, said that the two teachers’ bodies will convene a meeting soon to discuss on their next course of action.