Kohima, January 21 (MExN): Teachers of the Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 2013 batch have not been paid salaries since August 2018.
“The RMSA 2013 teachers are teaching without salary for five months for the sake of the students’ future,” stated the Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA) 2013 batch in a press release from its President, Mhasikholie Paul Belho, and General Secretary, Vika S Sumi.
They appealed for the immediate release of their pending salaries.
“If the State Government and the concerned department is really concerned about the welfare and future of the students, they must uphold their part by paying monthly salary of the teachers so that teachers can give their best without having to think when the next salary will come.”
The NRMSATA 2013 teachers, the Association informed, are serving at the Secondary level, i.e. classes 9 and 10, in all Government High Schools where classes start in the month of January every year for taking coaching classes and model exams are conducted for class 10.
“It is difficult to fathom how teachers who are called the builders of the society are expected to work without salary. A teacher is not a superhuman but a human being with the same needs and wants like all State Government employees who expect and also get their rightful salary on time,” the teachers maintained.
With no option left, unpaid teachers in Nagaland have to resort to agitations by boycotting classes but this is often looked at by common people as denying students their right to education.
“But it is only when you experience mental, material and physical problems that you learn about despair, agony and the ever mental anguish of how to survive with questions like whom shall I ask for credit? When will the creditors come knocking? What if a medical emergency arises? Will I be able to provide for my family as is expected of me?” the NRMSATA 2013 batch asked while requesting the release of their pending five months’ salary at the earliest.
