Govt to workout a formula to address demands of SSA teachers despite financial constraints: Rakkam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 15, 2024

Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Tuesday said the government is working out a formula to address the ongoing demands of SSA teachers for hundred percent salary enhancement and securing their services.

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 to address their issues,” he informed.

He also appealed to the teachers to join back schools.

Rakkam 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 just to go back to schools, think about that children also. The children may be waiting in the schools, I don’t know.”

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. 

Stating that both the demands are “geniune”, 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.

On opposition criticizing the government for not inviting the teachers, Rakkam 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. 

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 .

“Earlier SSA is a government of India program. Earlier when  the program was launched, it was Ministry of education Government of India program, the state government is to added only 10% of the salary component. It is purely from the Government of India program and state government is to bear only 10% of the cost the salary but now since 2018, the capping norms has been changed,” he said.

“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. “So next year, 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. So, I think practically state government is enhancing their salary 5% every year. Of course, the amount goes the same because but the ministry’s cutting down 5% the salary component every year, the state government has to compensate. However, we are leaving no stone unturned, we are exploring and we are working out,” he assured.

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.