Shillong, Sep 25: Teachers of deficit schools in Meghalaya have threatened to launch state-wide protests if their various long-pending demands were not met by October 9.
The deficit school teachers today staged a protest march in Shillong from MBOSE office to Malki Ground as a token to remind the government regarding the ultimatum. The march was jointly organised by Khasi-Jaiñtia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers’ and Employees’ Association (GHDSTEA).
Addressing the teachers, KJDSTA president Boswell Pala said that the two associations have submitted a memorandum regarding their demands to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Stating that the chief minister has not responded to the request for a meeting with the two associations, Pala said, “It is with deep pain and indignation that we are forced to adopt this course of action.”
“For years, the deficit school community comprising dedicated teaching and non-teaching personnel who form the backbone of Meghalaya’s school education has endured severe financial strain, bureaucratic apathy, and systemic indifference,” he added.
According to Pala, 51 per cent of Dearness Allowance (DA) due from July 1, 2025 and 53 per cent DA due from January 1, 2026 continue to be paid at an “outdated” rate of 49 per cent. He also said that the DA arrears of 43 per cent for January and February, 2024 remain unpaid despite several reminders to the State government.
He further said that as per government order issued on November 21, 2024, the Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) matching contribution was raised to 10 per cent from January 1, 2025. “However, till today, the deficit teachers and employees are still receiving only 8 per cent,” he said.
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“Our demand is for immediate release of DA installments raising it to the mandated 53 per cent, release of all pending arrears, and immediate implementation of the 10 per cent CPF contribution from the government along with all accrued arrear matching amounts from January 1, 2025,” Pala said.
He also sought exemption of deficit school teachers from the Meghalaya Non-Government School and College Employees Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, 2026 since it is “structurally unsuitable legally untenable, and disadvantageous.”
The KJDSTA president also demanded expedited recruitment for vacant sanctioned posts. According to him, vacancies caused by retirement remained unfilled for years resulting in increased workloads and affecting school administration.
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Other demands include full restoration of the Board of Trustees under the 1969 Act and a binding timeline for CPF and NPS transition and fund transfer.
“If all our legitimate demands are not fulfilled on or before October 9, 2026, we would launch aggressive state-wide democratic protests and agitations and the State government would have to take responsibility for any resulting disruption to academic schedules, administrative functions, or student activities across Meghalaya,” Pala warned.
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