SHILLONG: Meghalaya education minister Rakkam A Sangma outlined the government’s constraints regarding the regularization of 12,541 SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) teachers.
Sangma cited the substantial financial burden, estimating a requirement of Rs 200 to Rs 300 crore to implement such a decision.
He explained that regularizing these teachers would entail demands for salary parity with government teachers, posing a significant fiscal challenge for Meghalaya lacking independent revenue sources.
The MSSASA (Meghalaya SSA School Association) recently reiterated its demand for the creation of posts and the transfer of existing SSA teachers to the state education department on a regular basis, in line with RTE (Right to Education) and SSA norms.
Sangma stated that the Meghalaya government is exploring various possibilities and awaits recommendations from the state education commission.
Additionally, proposals for creating district cadres are under consideration, with absorption without pay scale increments being considered.
Highlighting the complexity of the issue, Sangma noted that teachers are currently appointed by school managing committees (SMCs), not the government.
Taking over these appointments presents challenges, especially for schools run by churches receiving SSA funds, where SMCs may resist government intervention.
Sangma discussed plans in light of the National Education Policy (NEP), including exploring options such as direct recruitment, departmental absorption, and conducting departmental exams for qualified teachers.
He emphasized ongoing discussions to determine the most suitable approach for the welfare of teachers state-wide, ensuring all possibilities are considered to address the concerns of SSA teachers effectively.