Meghalaya Government has barred teachers of government and government aided schools, colleges and universities from taking part in political activities and associations.
This was clearly stated in the new education policy adopted and notified by the Government after the Cabinet nod on September 21.
The new education policy states that ‘So far as education is concerned, schools should be kept free from politics. For this purpose, government and government aided school teachers will be barred from taking part in political activities and political associations’.
The policy further stated, ‘Government and government aided college/university teachers will be barred from taking part in political activities and political associations’.
The policy also states that the State will intervene to prevent commercialization of education and protect the interests of the student community while protecting the autonomy of institutions.
The government will streamline the existing categories of schools and classify them into government, government aided, partially aided and private schools only, according to the policy.
The policy also stated that government aided and partially aided schools will be run and managed by school managing committees.
Further, they will also take responsibility for the welfare and post-retirement benefits of teachers, according to the new education policy.
The State Government will also introduce a suitable school social audit mechanism to increase transparency.
A legislation will also be made for regulation and fixing of fees in higher educational institutions, the policy has stated.
The policy also clearly stated that a zero tolerance approach will be adopted to ensure that no learner in the elementary level is subjected to physical punishment, bullying, mental harassment, gender discrimination and violence in schools.