The Education Department has reinstated the service of 187 assistant teachers in lower primary schools across the State following findings that they were not involved in the infamous Education Scam.
The order for reinstatement of the services of the 187 teachers was issued by the Directorate of School Education and Literacy three days ago. They have been reinstated in the posts “with prospective effect”.
The 187 assistant teachers were declared as “untainted” by the three-member committee set up by the Education Department as per an order by the Meghalaya High Court on a review petition filed by these teachers.
The teachers who were reinstated included 35 from South Garo Hills (Bagmara centre), 30 from West Khasi Hills (Mairang centre), 26 from North Garo Hills (Resubelpara centre), 24 from East Jaiñtia Hills (Khliehriat centre), 23 from South West Khasi Hills (Mawkyrwat centre), 21 from West Khasi Hills (Nongstoiñ centre), 21 from Ri Bhoi (Nongpoh centre) and seven from East Khasi Hills (Sohra centre).
However, the Education Department has clearly stated that the period between the date of termination order and the date of their reinstatement of the 187 assistant teachers shall be treated as “dies non” or a period which is neither counted as part of service nor considered as break in service.
Though it does not constitute break in service, such a period treated as “dies-non” would not qualify as part of the teachers’ service for pensionary benefits or increments.
It may be mentioned that as many as 506 lower primary school teachers in Meghalaya were terminated from service due irregularities in their appointment in 2008-2009.
After the first CBI report had revealed irregularities in the recruitment in five centres, the Education Department had terminated the service of 246 teachers. Following the second report of the CBI that examined the remaining ten centres, the department on June 29, 2020 terminated the service of another batch of 260 teachers.
The CBI had segregated both tainted and untainted teachers who were appointed allegedly through unfair means.
After the CBI submitted the report to the High Court, the government had constituted a high level committee as per the direction of the court. The court in its order on July 5, 2019, had asked the committee to further examine the Education Scam case and dispose of the matter within six months.
The committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Rebecca Suchiang had submitted the report to the Education Department which finally decided to terminate the services of 260 tainted teachers.
On December 14, 2018, the Meghalaya High Court directed the State government not to disturb the appointment of 50 untainted candidates. The order was passed by the court after disposing of a review petition filed by the All Meghalaya Primary School Teachers Association.
