Shillong, June 26: The Voice of the People Party (VPP), led by Mawlai MLA Brightstar Marbaniang, on Friday met Rakkam A. Sangma to raise concerns over the long-pending issues affecting deficit teachers in schools and colleges under the Grant-in-Aid system and to oppose any move that could weaken the existing policy framework.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Marbaniang said the VPP delegation urged the government to resolve the problems faced by deficit teachers, particularly those in the higher education sector. He noted that salary structures linked to the University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scale have failed to keep pace with appointments and prevailing service conditions, resulting in financial hardship for many educators.

He alleged that instead of strengthening the education sector, the MDA Government appeared to be moving in a direction that could weaken the existing system. Stressing the importance of quality education, Marbaniang said the government must make teaching a more attractive profession by improving salaries, ensuring job security and extending better service benefits.

Marbaniang pointed out that the UGC pay scale was adopted in 1985, yet despite Meghalaya completing 50 years of statehood, there has been no significant improvement in the service conditions of deficit teachers. He asserted that the VPP strongly opposes any attempt to discontinue or dilute the existing provisions and would not allow the interests of teachers or the education sector to be undermined.

He further maintained that quality education cannot be achieved without competent and motivated teachers. The government, he said, should undertake a comprehensive review of the deficit system, fill vacant teaching posts and introduce policies that strengthen the overall education system in Meghalaya.

According to Marbaniang, the Education Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the VPP delegation and assured them that the issues would be examined carefully and appropriate action would be taken.