- Shillong, Oct 2: The Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) on Thursday ended their indefinite sit-in-demonstration after they agreed upon an offer proposed by the state government. The FASTOM began their agitation on September 22, at Malki Ground.
The FASTOM leaders had met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on his invitation, at his official residence on Wednesday.
According to FASTOM vice-president, Sanborn Jungai, said that at the meeting with the Chief Minister, they told him that it is difficult for them to survive without any extra allowances.
Jungai said that during the discussion with Sangma, the issue of upgrading the Ad-Hoc teachers to the Deficit System of Deficit Pattern was discussed.
The Chief Minister who is in charge Finance department told the FASTOM delegation that if the Ad-Hoc teachers stuck to their demand of upgrading them to the Deficit System of Deficit Pattern, the state government will have to spend a large amount of funds for the purpose.
After deliberating on the matter, the state government proposed, other measures to resolve the problems of the Ad-Hoc teachers.
Jungai informed that the FASTOM delegation relented only after the state government proposed a four-point offer to resolve their grievances.
The FASTOM vice-president said that the government agreed on giving the Ad-Hoc teachers, basic pay.
“Which means that this basic pay will be according to seniority (of the teachers),” he said adding that there will be different slabs depending on the teachers’ years of experience..
He also informed that the government will give the Ad-Hoc teachers the facility of DA (Dearness Allowance). “The government has agreed to pay this DA once a year. To help the teachers due to inflation.” Jungai said I
The Chief Minister also agreed to give the Ad-Hoc teachers the facility of the Central Provident Fund (CPF). “Eight percent (of the basic pay) will be the contribution from the government and another eight percent the teachers contribution,” Jungai added.
The FASTOM vice-president also informed that the state government agreed upon the Death Cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG). On this he said that the Ad-Hoc teachers has agreed upon, that they will contribute towards this fund.
“How much will be our contribution we will discuss this with the Education department,” Jungai told reporters.
He said that the government has asked the Ad-Hoc teachers to give it three months time to prepare the new pay structure even as Sangma told the delegation that the government wants to give them a Christmas gift.
It was also agreed upon at the meeting that the new pay structure will be implemented from April 1, 2026.
Jungai said that those who will benefit from this new pay structure will be for Pre-Primary, Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary, Science, Hindi teachers and Morning and Evening Section Schools operating under the Ad-Hoc category.
The FASTOM vice-president also said that almost 10,000 teachers will benefit from this new pay structure.
