Shillong, Nov 9: The teachers of the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA) on Monday announced an indefinite strike, due to the failure of the state government to implement their demands.
Speaking to media at the Shillong Press Club, Boswell Pala, KJDSTA president, said the association has taken this decision because the state government has not listened to their demands, which have been pending for years.
According to Pala, it was not easy for the KJDSTA to make this decision but he urged students and parents to cooperate. The strike will begin on November 11.
Recently, deficit school teachers of the state held their 10th annual general meeting under the umbrella of the KJDSTA on Saturday in Mawlai.
The association has demanded the implementation of Central Provident Fund (CPF) and National Pension System (NPS), the release of dearness allowance and arrears, the implementation of the CPF contribution of 10 percent of teachers’ salaries and the filling of vacancies.
Furthermore, the association demanded the abolition of the 2026 CPF scheme and implementation of the approved one in 2023, re-establishment of the Board of Trustees, non-implementation of the Structured Pay Framework (SPF) in the deficit system, timely salaries and implementation of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) in the deficit system.
The scheme is meant to provide financial upgradation to employees who do not get regular promotion due to stagnation in service.
Under MACPS, an employee becomes eligible for financial benefits after completing 10, 20 and 30 years of service, even if no promotion is available.
For deficit school teachers, who often serve for decades in the same post without promotion avenues, the scheme is seen as a crucial measure for career progression and financial security.
