Meghalaya deficit teachers' strike begins Wednesday, gets college support

The indefinite strike by deficit school teachers in Meghalaya is set to begin on Wednesday, November 11, and has now won the backing of the state's college teachers.

The Meghalaya College Teachers' Association (MCTA) said on Tuesday it stands in solidarity with the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers' Association (KJDSTA), which called the strike over long-pending service and retirement benefits, Highland Post reported.

What the teachers want

The MCTA listed the issues it considers serious:

• the Centralised Provident Fund and the National Pension Scheme
• implementation of the 2023 scheme and withdrawal of the 2026 scheme
• contributory provident fund
• deficit posts that have not been advertised
• uncertainty over the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS)
• delays in paying salaries and Dearness Allowance

"These are serious matters that directly affect the professional dignity, financial security and service conditions of teachers and employees," the association said.

It said uncertainty over retirement benefits, unclear service rules and repeated delays in settling grievances had created anxiety among teachers across the state, and that the problems were part of a larger crisis in the deficit education sector.

'Assurances no longer enough'

The college teachers' body urged the government to start meaningful talks for an early settlement. "Assurances alone are no longer sufficient; what is required is concrete action, clarity in policy and a time-bound commitment," it said.

It also appealed to school managements, parents and the public to understand why teachers were striking, saying the agitation was not a rejection of teaching duties but a fight for justice and security. Teachers' rights and students' rights were connected, not opposed, it added.

What it means for students

Deficit schools are privately managed institutions whose teachers' salaries are paid largely by the state government, and they make up a large share of schools in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. An indefinite strike would disrupt classes in these schools in the run-up to board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 early next year. The government has not publicly responded to the strike call so far.

KJDSTA announced the strike on November 9 after earlier rounds of agitation over DA and provident fund dues. NEInsider will update this story as the strike gets under way.