On the occasion of the 83rd death anniversary of Khasi poet Soso Tham, the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has taken up the plight of teachers in the state.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said that, recently, a group of teachers had gone public with the difficulties they are facing since they have not received the required benefits from the government.
“For over 30 years they have served as teachers but the government has not turned to them and given them social security,” the HYC president said after paying tribute to the Khasi bard.
On Saturday, retired school teachers under the banner of Meghalaya Retired Deficit School Teachers’ Association urged the state government to pay them a pension so that they can live a decent life on their own.
According to Synrem, MLAs who serve only for two years and six months as legislators are eligible for pension, but teachers who have served for 30 years are not.
Asking what the government is doing for the teachers of the state, he said that without them one would not see these MLAs sitting in the Assembly.
The HYC president said that on the occasion of the 83rd death anniversary of U Soso Tham, the HYC wants to send a message to the government that it should look into the welfare of teachers.
“Don’t just respect them on September 5 (Teachers’ Day). But recognise them through policies in their favour,” Synrem said.
He said that the teachers should not be respected only while they are teaching but they should be given an opportunity to live a dignified life even after they retire.
The HYC president also urged the government to do away with the various categories of teachers even as he urged the government to bring uniformity on the matter and everybody should get the same salary.
