Shillong, Oct 15: The state government has assured to work out a formula to address the ongoing demands of SSA teachers for 100 percent salary enhancement and securing their services even as the education minister Rakkam A Sangma has appealed to agitating teachers to think about the students’ welfare and go back to their respective schools.

Speaking to media persons, Rakkam said that decision to enhance the salary of over 13000 SSA teachers may not be practically possible immediately in view of the financial constraint faced by the government.

“However, we are working out a formula. We have sat one meeting last week with the chief minister Conrad K Sangma. We will be sitting again. We have already instructed our officials to workout a formula (on how to address the issues pertaining to the SSA teachers in Meghalaya),” he informed.

Appealing to the agitating teachers to resume work, the education minister said, “I feel bad our teachers are sitting on the streets or playgrounds but I, on the other hand, also feel what about the students, they are supposed to teach them also. But now as schools are re-opened, I would request all teachers to go back to schools, think about the children also. The children may be waiting in the schools.”

Division among SSA teachers not a ‘good sign’

There is a glaring division among the SSA teachers. While the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA) have served a two-month ultimatum to the state government to come up with a policy to secure the services of SSA teachers, the other group under the banner of the All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers’ Association (AMSSASTA) are staging an indefinite sit-in-demonstration for the past 15 days demanding immediate enhancement of salary to SSA teachers by 100 percent.

Admitting that both the demands are “genuine”, the education minister however said that faction within the same fraternity is not a “good sign”.

“…faction is always there, be it in politics, in NGOs, be everywhere…but I think this is not the good sign to have this kind of faction. But both demands are genuine. We understand because they our teacher, they are from the same family, we are shouldering responsible together, they have to shoulder in giving the education to the children,” he stated.

Doors always open for discussion

Asked on opposition criticizing the government for not inviting the agitating teachers for talks, Rakkam however said the government has met them many times and its door is always open to them for discussion. However, the government had to prioritize issues in view of the recent flood situation in Garo Hills, which has led to the loss of many lives.

“Since I’m back here, I can meet them any time because I am here for them and we are there for the people,” he assured.

Further, the education minister said that the finance of the state is a big issue adding that it is not easy for the state to take decision at one go on a problem, which has arisen from day one (of the implementation of the SSA program in Meghalaya).

Moreover, the Government of India has decided to impose cut of 5 percent on the salary component every year due to which the state government has to take the burden of compensating accordingly.

Due to this, the state government at present has to bear 30 percent of the salary compared to earlier years when the funding pattern was 90:10.

“Now every year, the Government of India is cutting down 5% every year, the state government is increasing compensate to repayment for the salary, every 5%. Earlier before prior 2018, it was 90:10 but now, since this year, this state government is bearing 30% of the salary and 70% by India,” Rakkam said while adding “So next year, in 2025, state government will be bearing 35% and 65% will be from India, so, maybe in next 3 years state government has to bear 50% of the salary.”

“However, we are leaving no stone unturned, we are exploring and we are working out,” he assured.

Furthermore, the education minister said that the department is also faced with multiple challenges. Another 10,000 adhoc school teachers are also making similar demand of salary enhancement.

“We have had a meeting with chief minister many times on this issue. The revenue constraint of the state government is also a factor, we are not able to decide at one go but however, we are working out of formula how to help them out,” he added further.

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