Govt closely examining demand for enhancing salary of SSA teachers: Rymbui

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 16, 2021

Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday said the state government is closely examining the demand for enhancing the salary of over 12,000 SSA teachers in the state.

“I would like to inform the August House that a study is under way to understand the demands of the SSA teachers and its feasibility,” Rymbui told the Assembly.

He was replying to a zero hour notice tabled by Mawsynram legislator Himalaya M Shangpliang for discussion on the issue in the Assembly.  

Rymbui said that the state government would require an additional amount of Rs 216 crore for enhancing the salary of the SSA teachers.

“The current annual expenditure for 12,541 SSA elementary teachers and 432 SSA secondary teachers is Rs 311.47 crore and if it is to be enhanced at par with the 5^th Pay Commission, the amount per annum will entail to Rs 527.644 crore in addition to other allowances permissible including DA arrears, medical allowances etc the amount may fluctuate from time to time and the state will be burdened by an additional amount of Rs 216.174 crore per annum,” he said.

“In this regard, further study and inputs from other states is awaited on the SSA salary structure and policy which includes service rules, recruitment policy, management category, funding pattern etc,” the minister further added.

The framework of SSA of the Integrated scheme ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan’ an integration of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education at chapter 5 para 5.8 sub part (A) stated “the recruitment and other service matters of teachers are under the domain of state/UT governments and the central government is only to provide support as per availability of funds”.

He said the norms of SSA and the RTE Act, 2009 and the Meghalaya Right to Children to Free & Compulsory Education Rules 2011 has categorically emphasized on the need to prepare the state to universalize elementary school education and ensure quality education including equity and inclusiveness.

Rymbui further added that the state government need to review the status of teachers in the state, whereby, facilitating them to a level of dignified profession through rewarding regular and humane financial benefits which will fit to their living conditions, services and qualification as mandated by the RTE Act, the NCTE and the national justice.

Taking into consideration the RTE Act and the welfare of education of the state as a whole, he said it is therefore justified that the resources for the progress of the state at the grassroot level should be strengthened and investment for its sustainability be enhanced.

“Therefore, the State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya (SEMAM) shall re-visit the proposal for enhancement of salary,” he said.