NSF and ENSF officials during press conference in Kohima on October 2. (Morung Photo)
Unhappy with govt’s response on streamlining SSA & RMSA teachers
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 2
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) today expressed dissatisfaction over the response of the State Government in regard to its ultimatum served to the government on the streamlining of SSA & RMSA teachers. The organizations have also decided to launch an indefinite agitation from October 12.
However, the nature of the agitation has not yet been announced.
“Today, we received response from the Government of Nagaland, and the NSF & ENSF jointly discussed about. We came to a consensus that we are not satisfied with the response from the government. Therefore, the NSF and ENSF are now left with no option and have decided in principle to go for agitation,” informed NSF President, Ninoto Awomi while addressing press conference here today.
Unless the issue is resolved, Awomi said that the agitation would be indefinite.
Recalling the agreement made in 2018 regarding the issue, ENSF President, Sepili L Sangtam said that even after a lapse of 2 years and four months, the core demand of streamlining of SSA and RMSA teachers is yet to be fulfilled. He also expressed unhappiness with the State Government for keeping silent on the agreement.
Sangtam said that all the federating units of the NSF and ENSF extended support and cooperation on this issue.
It may be recalled that the NSF and ENSF had jointly served an ultimatum to the State Government on September 2, 2020 and the ultimatum expired today (October 2) in regard to the agreement that was signed between the School Education Department and the Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers Association (NSSATA), NSF & ENSF on June 12, 2018.
As per the agreement, the department was bound to rectify the nature of appointment of SSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 batches based on appointment order, RTI reports and advertisement and other relevant documents. Subsequently, the cabinet meeting on October 3, 2018 decided in principle to bring the teachers of all 2010 & 2013 batches of SSA & RMSA teachers into the mainstream of School Education cadre and an office memorandum on the same was issued by the cabinet’s secretariat on October 5, 2018.
“However, despite several reminders and appeals made by the NSF & the ENSF, the agreement decision has not been implemented till date," stated the joint ultimatum.
It had given the government thirty days to address the issue, cautioning that the two federations would be compelled to take up democratic measures against the inaction of the State Government.
Govt requests withdrawal of ultimatum
Meanwhile, the School Education Department has responded to the ultimatum, informing that the issue of mainstreaming of SSA & RMSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 batches was taken up in a joint meeting with the P&AR Department and Finance Department under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary on September 14.
The meeting decided that the P&AR Department would examine the seniority list submitted by the School Education Department and accord necessary clearance. It also decided that the Finance Department and School Education Department would work out the detailed financial implication/budget on account of the mainstreaming, modalities of payment of salaries and adjustment of budget and indicate requirement.
Another decision taken was that 75% of the vacancies of teachers occurring annually would to be freezed till further orders; and that the cabinet memo would be submitted for formal mainstreaming of the SSA & RMSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 batches.
This reply, dated September 13, signed by Under Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Veduta Thira, requested the NSF and ENSF to withdraw the ultimatum served to the State Education Department.
