In a written statement, the All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association (AGHSSASTA) has urged the Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to release their four months’ salaries at the earliest.
The dues of the SSA teachers have remained unpaid since July this year, according to the teachers’ body.
AGHSSASTA in a statementsaid, “This has caused us extreme hardship – physically, emotionally, economically and mentally – as we have not been able to meet our financial needs for our family and our children”.
“In other states, SSA teachers have been paid regularly. But in Meghalaya, SSA teachers have to build the nation while serving on empty stomachs. This is beyond our ability and capacity,” they said.
If the condition remained same and the government failed to clear their dues, there will be single-digit enrolment in most of the SSA schools, which, according to the new policy would mean shutting these schools down.
The teachers added,“We have taken a decision that in case the state fails to release our salaries by November 5, we would have no other option than to launch an agitation from November 11”.