Shillong, August 27: Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang on Thursday questioned Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s recent remarks regarding the salaries of teachers in deficit colleges, while raising broader concerns over the state of education in Meghalaya.
Participating in a discussion on education during the ongoing Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the VPP legislator said the sector faced serious challenges across all levels, from kindergarten to postgraduate education, with wider implications for the State’s development.
Marbaniang said the condition of education was a concern not only for legislators but also for students, parents and citizens, stressing that the quality of education plays a crucial role in determining the progress of society.
Questions CM’s ₹4.5 Lakh Salary Figure
Taking exception to the Chief Minister’s recent remarks, Marbaniang alleged that the comments were sarcastic and humiliating to teachers working in deficit colleges.
He questioned the basis for the figure of approximately ₹4.5 lakh per month, which he said the Chief Minister had cited while speaking about teachers’ salaries.
Marbaniang said a senior colleague at St. Anthony’s College receives around ₹3.5 lakh per month under the applicable UGC pay structure, and questioned the basis for the higher figure cited by the Chief Minister.
He argued that teachers at every level—from lower primary schools to higher education institutions—deserve fair and adequate salaries given their responsibility for shaping the future of children.
Cites Educators Who Returned From Abroad
Highlighting the contribution of local educators, Marbaniang referred to colleagues who had received Fulbright scholarships and taught at universities in the United States.
He said some had declined opportunities to remain abroad and instead returned to Meghalaya to contribute to the State.
He also referred to a colleague pursuing postdoctoral studies in Europe who, according to him, wished to return to Meghalaya despite receiving a scholarship worth more than his salary in the State and having been offered an opportunity to remain abroad.
Raises Vacancies in Educational Institutions
Marbaniang also expressed concern over vacant teaching posts in government schools, government colleges and deficit colleges, saying the shortage of teachers remained a significant challenge for the education sector.
Recalling his own educational journey, the Mawlai legislator expressed gratitude to Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, St. Anthony’s College and North-Eastern Hill University, where he studied.
He said access to these institutions had played an important role in enabling him to complete his education and underlined the importance of maintaining and strengthening Meghalaya’s educational institutions.
