Secondary teachers stage protest

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, July 29: Several members of the Federation of All Meghalaya Ad hoc Secondary Teachers' Association (FAMASTA) on Friday joined the sit-in-demonstration (dhar)called by the Joint Action Committee of All Teachers' Association of Meghalaya (JACATAM) protesting the delay of the state government on their demands to of provincialising the services of teachers despite stern warning form the said association.

It may be mentioned that the FAMASTA in a press conference held on Thursday had maked it clear that no secondary teacher under it will be allowed to join the JACATAM agitation failing which they will be dealt with strongly according to clause 7 of the FAMASTA constitution.

Teachers numbering in their hundreds carrying placard on Friday demanded immediate provincialiation of their services stage a dhar in the city from 10.30AM to 2.30PM. The dhar was observed across the state.

Speaking to reporter during the sit-in-demonstration, Kenneth Shadap, secretary of JACATAM said, "On the silent attitude of the state government the association have decided that on 5 August at 11AM a state rally will be held in which right from Lower primary till Higher secondary,  Ad hoc and deficit teachers from across the state will be participating."

He informed that during the state rally of teacher the association will also announce numerous agitation programmes which will continue until the attitude of the state government changes. However the venue of the rally will be informed by them at a later date.

He further said that the association is awaiting the Cabinet's approval for the proposal to provincialise the services of the teachers and for the State Government to issue a notification.

In this connection he said, there is a clear proposal as per memo February 23, 2016 for the provincialisation of teachers' services.

"The state government has been silent though we have written to it a number of times in the year 2013,'14 and '15 and he (the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma) has even written to us on June 23, 2016 stating that the Principal Secretary, Political may direct the education department to coordite with the association and update pending issues for fil resolution," he said.

He also stressed the need for all faction of teachers association to unite despite the FAMASTA having withdrawn the support to the JACATAM. Earlier, Esther Kharbamon, secretary of the Action Committee of the JACATAM and convener of Secondary Adhoc expressed surprise as to the withdrawal of support by the FAMASTA.