Sat Oct 05 04:02:59 UTC 2024: ## Rift Among Meghalaya SSA Teachers Over Job Security and Pay Hike
**Shillong:** A deep divide has emerged among teachers working under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Meghalaya over the best course of action regarding their future. The debate centers around two key demands: absorption into the state Education Department and a 100% salary revision.
The Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA) welcomes the government’s proposal to create permanent posts within the Education Department, allowing SSA teachers to transition into secure positions. This would offer a path to permanent employment for teachers who have worked on a contractual basis for years.
However, the All Meghalaya SSA School Teacher Association (AMSSATA) opposes this proposal, instead demanding a 100% pay hike without considering absorption. AMSSATA leaders argue that their salaries have not been revised since 2016 and their daily living expenses are rising. They believe that absorption would create salary discrepancies between SSA teachers and government school teachers.
This division has created a stalemate, with the government facing pressure from both sides. MSSASA has threatened to launch protests if the absorption process is not completed within two months. AMSSATA, on the other hand, insists on a written commitment for a 100% salary hike.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the government has no direct role in appointing the 12,541 SSA school teachers, who are employed by school managing committees. Regularizing their services under the Education Department would require an additional Rs 300 crore.
The government now faces the challenge of resolving this complex issue and ensuring a fair outcome for the SSA teachers. With both sides insistent on their demands, finding a solution that addresses the needs of all stakeholders remains a formidable task.
First Piper 