Salary enhancement: AMSSASTA slams government

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Sept 25: Teachers under the banner of All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers Association (AMSSASTA), Ri-Bhoi district Unit has strongly criticized the state government for its failure to enhance the salary of the 4th teachers like the rest of the SSA teachers.

In this regards the 4th teachers in the presence of leaders of the AMSSASTA, Ri-Bhoi also had a meeting on September 24 at Sajer, Nongpoh Ri-Bhoi District where they discussed in depth about this issue including the desire of the state government to shift the post from the Upper Primary Section to the Lower Primary section in the entire state of Meghalaya.

“Many teachers who attended the meeting had strongly opposed this desire of the state government and has strongly criticized the government failure to meet the demand related to the 4th teachers for almost two years now,” D. Lamare, Vice President, AMSSASTA Ribhoi District, said in a statement issued here on Sunday.                                                                                                             

Questioning the government if it can really shift the post appointed by the SMC, since in Meghalaya almost all the SSA school are owned by private individuals,  religious bodies, village, NGOs, SHG, the Raid and Hima beside others, the teachers have also asked the state government if the private owners will even permit to shift the post from their school.

“The biggest problem will be for those teachers who are teaching in school which does not have the LP section and vice versa,” Lamare said adding that teachers will have to go astray and seek the SMC for appointment in school with these sections and can even lose their jobs in the process.

He added, “If the state government really takes steps to shift the post, then school owned by private owner, etc., who have their own appointment policy may not take the teachers into consideration who are shifted by the government into their schools.”

He further stated that the 4th teacher including AMSSASTA, Ribhoi will glad-fully accept the shifted post provided the state government beforehand provide an appointment letter so that these teachers does not become a mere puppet.

The 4th teacher Ri-Bhoi District has further demanded the government for their salary enhancement and to keep aside the shifting of the post while stating that they can no longer sustain with a salary of Rs 6000.

“The AMSSASTA Ri-Bhoi together with the 4th teachers urged the state government under the leadership of Dr. Mukul Sangma to look into the matter at the earliest,” he added.