The All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association (AGHSSASTA) has expressed its deep resentment over the delay in paying pending salaries before Christmas while questioning the insensitivity of the state government in clearing the arrears.
Furthermore, the teachers have threatened to go on a two-day hunger strike over Christmas in front of the Chief Minister’s house if the government still does not clear the dues of the teachers.
“We are yet to be paid our salaries for the past five months and are extremely unhappy with the development and the adamant attitude of the state government in clearing them. Ignoring the demands of SSA teachers for their pending salaries during the festive season means degrading and depriving all SSA teachers,” said a release by AGHSSASTA.
The association questioned the problems of irregular payments when teachers in other states have been getting regular salaries since 2020-21.
“How can we go to our duty on an empty stomach? This will definitely impact enrolment of students in various SSA schools if teachers are unable to attend. If we go by the words of the Education Minister, single digit schools will be shut down. Is this the opportunity being taken by the state government to shut down some of our schools?” they asked.
While the minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, previously said that the government is waiting on the funds for the salaries of the teachers, the association claimed that the Centre had already sent the monies over.
“If the government still does not bother to address the current grievances at the earliest and cannot give a clear clarification concerning the receipt of funds, we will be compelled to take the issue to the central government within a couple of days,” AGHSSASTA said. “We won’t get a chance to celebrate Christmas if our salaries are not released. This is devastating.”
