Northeast Desk, 8th October: The All Meghalaya SSA School Teachers’ Association (AMSSASTA) submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking urgent intervention to address the salary concerns of over 13,000 SSA teachers in the state. The association called for an increase in their wages, citing the rising cost of living and inflation, which has severely impacted the livelihood of the teachers.
In their letter, the teachers highlighted the “horrible suffering” they face due to stagnant salaries, expressing hope that the prime minister would take swift action to improve their financial situation. The association pointed out that the last salary appraisal took place in 2016-17, and the current wages range from Rs 9,200 to Rs 19,044 for Lower Primary teachers and Rs 9,900 to Rs 20,493 for Upper Primary teachers.
The association has been agitating since October 1 for a 100% salary increase, stressing that their situation could worsen without timely intervention. They urged the government to recognize the vital role teachers play in shaping the future and demanded that their long-pending demands be addressed.
Additionally, in September, the Meghalaya Education Department revealed that it is considering a proposal to grant age relaxation for SSA teachers, according to Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma. This proposal aims to involve the teachers in government recruitment processes, offering them better job security and growth opportunities.
The AMSSASTA continues to seek the central government’s attention and hopes for a favorable response to ensure a better quality of life for Meghalaya’s SSA teachers.