SHILLONG, Oct 15 � Despite a written assurance, Meghalaya deficit school teachers have refused to call of their indefinite strike unhappy that government notification to release their arrears was not addressed to the teachers� association.
The government issued a notification yesterday to release arrears of the agitating school teachers before Christmas as demanded by the teachers. �The written assurance to release the arrears before Christmas has been issued and the order is with the Inspector of Schools,� Minister in-charge Education, Ampareen Lyngdoh said.
However, Khasi Jai�tia Deficit School Teachers president, ED Nongsiang today said they would continue with their strike and also hold a public rally in the city to highlight the plight of teachers in the State.
�The government should have given the notification to the teachers� association. We would continue with the strike and inform the general public of the difficulties teachers are facing in the State,� Nongsiang said.
It�s been eleven days since the teachers launched their indefinite strike in protest against the government�s inability to release their pending arrears. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma informed few days back that the government would release the arrears, running up to Rs 60 crore, before Christmas this year after �careful analysis of the State�s financial position.�
�The teachers were completely sidelined and rubbished, by not issuing the notification to the teachers association. Therefore, the strike would continue,� S Syiem, another teacher said.
The deficit school teachers� indefinite strike has hampered normal functioning of deficit schools. Several schools have shut down giving advanced Puja vacation to the students.
