Shillong, Sep 5: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) on Teachers’ Day slammed the state government for abolishing sanctioned deficit and government teaching posts and downgrading them to lower pay under Structured Pay Framework (SPF).
Addressing a press conference at the Shillong Press Club, KJDSTA President Boswell S. Pala said the Education Department through notifications dated August 12 and August 19, 2026 has abolished posts that existed for decades.
“Government itself delayed filling posts as teachers retired and now suddenly issued this draconian order to abolish them,” Pala said, questioning where the budgeted money for these posts has gone.
He said the association has met the Education Minister and the Commissioner & Secretary and demanded immediate withdrawal of both notifications, calling them arbitrary and warning they would weaken the deficit system and cripple education.
Pala said even posts already advertised with deficit pay scale, where interviews were held or awaited, have been abolished and downgraded to SPF, which defies natural justice.
He said the move would discourage talented teachers from joining the profession and destroy hopes of youth and existing private, SSA and Adhoc teachers aspiring for government and deficit jobs.
“We are not opposed to SPF for other posts, but we oppose abolishing sanctioned deficit posts by downgrading them. Once abolished, it sets a precedent,” he said.
General Secretary Barbara Lamin asked, “Can we truly say we respect teachers if salary does not arrive on time, DA due is not released, CPF/NPS status remains unclear, posts remain vacant and retired teachers wait for benefits?”
She said even July 2026 salary has not been released. “A teacher should not have to wait for a salary as if begging for help,” she said.
Lamin demanded 51 per cent DA from July 2025, 53 per cent DA from January 2026 and arrears of 43 per cent DA for January-February 2024; completion of CPF/NPS implementation started over three years ago; compliance of 2024 order for 10 per cent CPF contribution; CPF accounts for new appointees; prompt release of Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG); timely filing of vacancies; and clarification on Board of Trustees (BOT) status.
“A vacant post is not just a line in a government file; it represents a classroom left without a teacher,” she said.
KJDSTA has demanded written replies and a clear deadline to address the issues and called upon the public to support their demand.
