Members of the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) were able to carry out their planned public rally today, a day later than planned, after they secured permission from the authorities.
The association of ad hoc teachers had wanted to hold the rally yesterday following its general meeting where they resolved to continue to protest against the government’s failure to meet their demands on salary hikes and upgrade to the deficit system.
Today, the peaceful rally started at Raj Bhavan and ended at Malki Ground after permission was received from the district administration for 30 people to take part.
Senior FASTOM member Mayborn Lyngdoh warned, however, that, going forward, the teachers’ agitations will intensify.
They have given the state government until the end of March to meet their demands.
“Come April, we will go all out and we also call upon the parents of students to support us in this cause,” Lyngdoh stated, adding that the teachers will ensure, however, that their protests do not negatively affect students.
From Wednesday, five teachers will protest outside the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) office everyday and will continue until the government caves.
Currently, lower primary, upper primary, secondary and higher secondary teachers are paid Rs 12,000, Rs 16,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 24,000 respectively. There are no additional allowances granted to them.
