Shillong, Sept 19: The two associations of SSA teachers in the state have announced separate agitations from September 24, as a mark of protest against the delay of the government in releasing their pending five months salary.
However the Central government on Wednesday released another Rs 132 crore to Meghalaya for teachers’ salary and other components under the SSA scheme.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA) announced its first phase agitation by calling a two-day mass casual leave by the teachers on September 24 and 25.
On the other hand, the All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers Association (AMSSASTA) has also called for a three-day pen down strike from September 24 to 26.
However Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui told reporters on Wednesday that the money was released to the state and the amount was also meant for other components apart from salary.
He said that the matter would be discussed with the Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma before releasing the pending salary of the teachers.
The teachers have not received their salary for five months.
The state government has been asked to bear an additional expenditure for payment of salary to the SSA teachers after the Project Approval Board (PAB) had approved to reduce the salary to Rs 15,000 per month for lower primary teachers, and Rs 20,000 for upper primary teachers.
Due to the this cut, the state government has to bear an additional amount of Rs 34.10 crore in order to be able to pay the salary at Rs 19,000 per month for the teachers of SSA LP schools and Rs 20,000 per month to the teachers of SSA UP schools.
The state also has to shell out Rs 27.66 crore as 10 per cent share for implementing the SSA scheme in the state.
For both 10 per cent share and the additional amount of Rs 34.10 crore, the State government would require Rs 61.76 crore.
“Once the matter is worked out, the salary will be immediately released to the teachers,†Rymbui said.
There are over 12,000 teachers teaching in SSA-sponsored schools.
