Shillong, Nov 27: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has refused to give any assurance on the request for further condonation of age for SSA teachers in the state.
A delegation of the Meghalaya State School Aided Association (MSSASA) had met him on Thursday to discuss two key issues: the age limit for SSA teachers and the rationalization of schools.
Regarding the age limit, Rymbui said, “I am very thankful to the government’s personnel, law and education departments that in 2022, we have taken a decision that for SSA teachers the age limit is 40+5 (45) and at that point of time, the government also given a one time condonation of age to the people who lost their jobs because they have are TET qualified.”
However, he was non-committal on the delegation’s request for further condonation of age, stating, “I told them I cannot give you the reply right now because as education department, we have to explore all possibilities.”
On the issue of rationalization of schools, Rymbui said, “The delegation have also requested me to see that rationalization of schools should be done before the academic session. I told them for the low hanging fruits, we will try to do but it is impossible for me to do all over the state.”
He added that the government has already taken a decision to rationalize schools, but the process would take time. “The government has already taken a decision that rationalization will happen. So let us go one step at a time.”
Rymbui also mentioned that the department is working on a structured grant-in-aid or pay system, which would provide security for teachers and clarity on their salaries.
“Christmas and New Year is coming and more important we will have a budget sometime in February or early March. This will also take the time for our officers of the department, directorate and also DSEOs and SDSEOs – so it is not possible for me to commit that at the start of the academic year but the government has already taken a decision that rationalization will happen. So let us go one step at a time,” he added.
