DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 2 (MExN): The All Nagaland School Teacher’s Association (ANSTA) has submitted a representation to the Nagaland State Chief Minister suggesting several measures to alleviate the problem of pending salaries of teachers appointed under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
The ANSTA suggested that Utilization Certificate (UC) of the scheme be submitted in time; the state matching share be remitted in due time; salary component of teachers should not be diverted for other purpose under no circumstances; top priority be accorded to teacher’s salaries; and payment of teachers salary from the state resources before funding agency releases fund.
To implement these suggestions, the ANSTA also urged the Minister of School Education to tie up closely with the Departments of Finance and Planning besides working with the President and Chairman of the Nagaland Education Mission Society (NEMS), which looks after the CSS schemes.
It further asked the Chief Minister, who is also President of the NEMS to accord top priority to the salary component of the teaching community “as it has a direct link with the career of thousand innocent students.”
On current non-release of salary for about 2600 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and 1379 Hindi teachers, the ANSTA said that “none of the teacher wanted to boycott classes or to agitate since we know our assigned responsibilities more than anyone else.”
However, it pointed out that “many a times, deliberate negligence of government in attending the genuine grievances of teaching fraternity compel teachers to take road of confrontation and students are made to bear the brunt of protest- which is indeed painful and unbecoming for making innocent learners suffers for no fault of them.”
It reminded that CSS teachers have been appointed as per the requirement of the state government. “However, when one sees the mode of payment of teacher’s salary, the scenario is very bleak for CSS Teacher’s as many are not being paid on regular basis,” it lamented.
It further cautioned that if the pending salaries of the teachers are not released early, the association would resort to state wide agitation “in the strongest term which may even affect the forthcoming final board examinations.” As such, the ANSTA appealed to the CM to take all possible measures promptly to address issue.
More orgs extend solidarity to teachers
State Govt’s (in) action decried
More organisations have extended their solidarity with the agitating SSA teachers under the aegis of Nagaland SSA Teachers Association (NSSATA). They also condemned the goverment high-handedness against peaceful protesters in Kohima on November 1.
AAPN: Aam Aadmi Party Nagaland (AAPN) today declared its “full and unconditional support” to the teachers of Nagaland saying that it was “disgraceful and shameful” on the part of the NPF Government to keep salaries of SSA teachers unpaid for almost six months. The shapers of future generations cannot do so in an empty stomach, said AAPN State Convenor Dr S Amos Lkr in a press note.
Further condemning the undemocratic Government’s action on protesting teachers on November 1 in Kohima, AAPN said it was “inhuman and barbarous” on the part of the Government to suppress even peaceful protest. If need be, the Party will join the agitation with the teachers in future, it added.
CCoFA: Coordination Committee on Fuel adulteration (CCoFA) vehemently condemning “brutality and high handedness” of the government using water canon on peaceful demonstration led by NSSTA termed it as a “the gravest of injustice meted out by a democratic government, acting more in an autocratic mold.”
A press note from Media Cell, CCoFA said that such habitual use of brute force is "arbitrary, highly illegal."
The state is going “awry and failing” indicated by the rise the “grievances and discontentment” of the general public in all spheres of life and the failure of the government to respond adequately and justly, it added.
The brute responses by the Government in addressing these issues is indicative of its nervousness on issues of misappropriation and corruption, it further noted.
While the government had promised to pay the salary of aggrieved teachers, CCoFA also expressed apprehension that it might be only a temporary reprieve and the teachers may be forced to resort to agitation again. It also asked the state government to step down over mismanagement and corruption.
CSNA: The Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA) today expressed its deep concern over the ongoing crisis in the state school education department and also extended its solidarity with the teachers.
The state government has no right to deprive the livelihood of the teachers, CSNA asserted in a press note from its President Charles Lotha and General Secretary Yimlanger Jamir appealing the state government as well as the School Education department to immediately meet the demands of the teaching community.
It is a great mockery on the part of the government to speak about teaching as the “noblest of professions” while depriving the livelihood of the teachers, it added.
Being engaged in a ‘noble profession’ without salary would not ensure quality education, CSNA said reminding the government to ensure that the noble profession is dignified, with good and regular salaries, and guaranteed the respect due to them.
It further expressed concerned that thousands of careers of students severely affected by the ongoing crisis since the academic session is coming to an end.
In this regard, CSNA asked the state government to meet the demands of the agitating teachers immediately.
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