SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA) has declared an indefinite strike across deficit schools starting November 11, alleging government “manipulation, lies, and bluff” over unpaid dues and long-standing policy failures.
KJDSTA President Boswell Pala said the agitation is a fundamental stand to protect Meghalaya’s education system from gradual dismantling and to secure the future for students and aspiring teachers.
Pala criticized the Education Department for repeated broken promises, citing unfulfilled assurances of Education Department (DA) enhancements and salary arrears that were supposed to be released before the Puja holidays.
He also decried the non-payment of regular wages and accused department officials of feigning ignorance about the DA issue.
Beyond financial grievances, the association flagged major structural concerns, including non-implementation of the Centralized Provident Fund (CPF) and Pension Scheme, the revocation of recent schemes, and threats to job security from attempts to convert deficit posts into grant posts.
Pala warned against government moves to push State Provident Fund (SPF) and halt the advertising of vacant deficit posts, insisting these must be stopped to safeguard the deficit system.
The strike, adopted at the association’s Annual General Meeting, comes after repeated breakdowns in trust and failed dialogues with the government.
KJDSTA urged students, parents, and school managements to recognize the crisis and support the teachers’ cause.
(4FrontMedia news)
ALSO READ: Deficit Teachers Set Oct 9 Deadline
