Shillong, Oct 5: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has said the Meghalaya government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the demands of teachers, following the decision of the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) to call off its protest.
FASTOM had been on a sit-in for more than a week to push for its demand that ad hoc schools would be brought under the deficit system, which would have raised teacher pay, among other benefits. However, the government did not meet all the FASTOM demands but did enough for the teachers to call off their agitation.
Rymbui told reporters that, since 2018, the government has prioritised health, education and infrastructure. He pointed out that despite financial constraints, the government had implemented a salary hike for teachers in 2022 and has since been working on proposals to further streamline the education sector.
“The Chief Minister understands the importance of financial security and social protection for teachers. During our recent discussions, he assured us that the government will look into the possibility of a structured salary system for teachers,” Rymbui said.
The minister acknowledged that the process will not be easy but expressed confidence that, through cooperation between the government and stakeholders, a solution could be reached in the next few months.
