Contractual lower primary school teachers began a three-day sit-in today at Madan Malki here.
The demonstration by the contractual teachers was to remind the state government of their demand not to be terminated from their jobs.
Earlier, the government had decided to terminate the services of teachers who did not clear the Meghalaya Teachers Eligibility Test (MTET), which the government made mandatory last year. Several contractual teachers are also over the age limit and have been under contract for more than 11 years.
“The government has asked us to nominate three teachers who will represent us in our meetings with the government on the issue,” Birbor Riangtem, president of the teachers’ association said. This the teachers have done but the state has yet to invite them for talks. It is for this reason that they have now launched a new agitation.
The teachers had earlier held an ‘indefinite’ hunger strike, which they later called off.
According to Riangtem, MTET should be made compulsory for those teachers who have newly applied for posts.
“When they appointed us the government told us to undergo the Diploma in Elementary Education and also have over 45 percent in the 12th Board examination. Apart from these we have undergone various short-term courses,” Riangtem said. “There are many of us who have crossed the age of 40 years. Where should we go?”
