SHILLONG, SEPT 25: Deficit school teachers on Friday threatened to launch aggressive statewide protests if the state government fails to resolve their six long-pending demands by October 9.
The ultimatum was announced by Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) president Boswell Pala after a protest march from MBOSE office to Malki Ground. The protest was jointly organized by KJDSTA and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA).
Stating that two organizations have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Pala said, “We write to you on behalf of the KJDSTA and GHDSTEA to serve this final ULTIMATUM. Nearly a month has elapsed since we formally sought an appointment with your esteemed office, yet our request has met with silence and perhaps indifference, yet again.”
“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 said.
Listing the demands, Pala said, “While 51% DA was due from 1st July 2025 and 53% DA from 1st January 2026, we continue to be paid at an outdated rate of 49%. Furthermore, the DA arrears of 43% for the months of January and February 2024 remain unpaid despite multiple representations.”
On CPF, he said, “Pursuant to the official government order dated 21st November 2024, the Contributory Provident Fund matching contribution was raised to 10% with effect from 1st January 2025. To date, staff are still receiving only 8%.”
“We demand immediate release of DA instalments raising it to the mandated 53% and all pending arrears, and immediate implementation of the 10% CPF government contribution along with all accrued arrear matching amounts from January 1, 2025,” Pala stated.
The associations also demanded expedited recruitment for vacant sanctioned posts, saying, “Vacancies caused by retirement have been allowed to languish unfilled, exacerbated by ill-conceived notifications. This has compromised school administration, increased teacher workloads, and directly infringed upon the educational rights of students.”
They sought exemption from the Meghalaya Non-Government School and College Employees Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, 2026, calling it “structurally unsuitable, legally untenable, and disadvantageous.”
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.
“Take notice that if all the legitimate demands are not fulfilled on or before October 9, 2026, the KJDSTA and GHDSTEA shall be left with no alternative but to launch aggressive state-wide democratic protests and agitations. Any resulting disruption to academic schedules, administrative functions, or student activities across Meghalaya shall rest entirely on the inaction and apathy of the Government,” Pala warned.
