SHILLONG, MAY 6: Responding to objections from teachers’ bodies, the Education Department has decided to hold a fresh meeting with all deficit school and college teachers on May 19 or 20 to discuss the Meghalaya Non-Government School and College Employees Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, 2026.
Commissioner & Secretary in-charge of Education Vijay Kumar Mantri said bank officials and Board of Trustees members will not be part of the next round of talks.
The decision follows a walkout by the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association and Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association from Wednesday’s meeting.
“So, we have decided that we will have another round meeting maybe on May 19 or 20 and we will issue notice to all of them,” Mantri said after Wednesday’s meeting. “We also want to take other associations from Jaintia Hills and others involved in deficit teachers and lecturers – we will invite all of them and see that we listen to all their concerns.”
Mantri said the department recognises the concerns raised by MCTA and KJDSTA over the meeting’s composition.
“Basically, their concern is why the bank people are there and why everybody is there, only it should be the government versus the deficit teachers. We appreciate their concerns and accordingly we will invite only the deficit teachers and lecturers on May 19 or 20,” he said.
Wednesday’s meeting was attended by MCTA, KJDSTA, BoT members, and State Bank of India officials. SBI is tasked with implementing the 2026 CPF Scheme for aided schools and colleges.
MCTA told the department it would not make detailed comments as the CPF matter is sub judice before the High Court of Meghalaya. KJDSTA flagged the absence of representatives from other regions, especially Garo Hills, and said talks should be limited to deficit teachers and lecturers for now. “
Taking these concerns into consideration, the Education Department has decided to convene another round of meetings involving representatives of deficit teachers and lecturers from different parts of the State to ensure wider consultation and participation,” Mantri said.
The All Meghalaya Primary School Teachers’ Association sought awareness programmes on the new scheme’s provisions.
The department “welcomed the suggestion positively and agreed that awareness and sensitisation initiatives would be beneficial for all stakeholders,” he said.
On demands from retired staff, Mantri said the department has agreed to allow 100% withdrawal of accumulated CPF amounts.
“After due deliberation, the Department has taken a positive decision in this regard and instructed SBI officials to furnish the detailed statement of all concerned employees by the 10th of this month,” he said.
After verification by the Directorates, authorisation will be issued for eligible retirees to withdraw the full amount from SBI.
School teachers opting out must submit an undertaking to the District School Education Officer, while college lecturers must submit it to the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education.
Mantri said implementation and operationalisation of the CPF Scheme will await the High Court’s verdict on the pending matter.
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