Kohima, June 9 (MExN): “Our fight is based on government credentials and therefore not beyond the democratic norms as alleged by the government.” The Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has reminded this to the Department of School Education (DoSE), Government of Nagaland, in a press release reiterating their stance today.
Teachers of the NSSATA have been protesting in a phase wise manner since May.
“SSA teachers of 2010 and 2013 batches were appointed as regular state employees through advertisement NO.ED/ADMN/1/2009-10 and NO.ED/EXAM/2010-2011 respectively through an open recruitment. The appointment order clearly mentioned that the teachers will be endowed with a scale pay and ‘with all other allowances/rates prescribed by the Government of Nagaland from time to time with effect from the date of joining,’ and where the government had clearly mentioned the post as Regular State Teachers,” stated the NSSATA in its press release given by Thejangulie Kirha, Convenor, NSSATA Agitation Committee and its Secretary, Arenla Tzudir.
An RTI response in October 2013 had stated that “the post creation is not done by SSA, it is a Government of Nagaland undertaking…teachers are appointed on regular basis and their service is not co-terminus with SSA project.”
Based on this, the NSSATA noted that the agitation “is in demand of what is rightfully ours basing on the appointment terms, with all service benefits deemed right for a State regular government employee.”
With regard to pay and related allowances, the NSSATA teachers stated, “We have been enjoying all other benefits as that of the regular state employees since the date of appointment and along with it, deduction of 10% NPS of the total emolument, GIS and professional tax are also made regularly. Therefore, connecting the NSSATA matter with irregularities of a centrally sponsored flagship programme will not solve the mounting problem.”
Further, they maintained that the demand for the 7th Revision of Pay (RoP), and also demand for salary from the State non-plan budget was made in line with regular state employees, based on a Government order vide No.C&S/SE&SCERT/MISC/2016 which stated, ‘the inclusion of salary of SSA teachers under Non-Plan shall be taken up at the appropriate time as and when the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of SSA comes to an end.’
“Therefore, terming the cause of irregularity in fulfilling the needs of the teachers as of the lapses on SSA scheme of the GOI does not justify the laid-back attitude of the State Government.”
Reacting to the government response on the issue, the NSSATA stated that while the teachers are aware the solution to their demands requires “certain formalities” which they have been informed of since 2016, and that the government has issued directives to look into the matter.
Emphasizing that they are not demanding a ‘magic formula’ for the resolution of their issues, the NSSATA observed that “The government admitting that there has been a mistake while making appointments does not amount to any defects in the nature of our appointment.”
The NSSATA acknowledged that the ongoing agitation is “seriously affecting the careers of the students and the quality of education in Nagaland.” However, “when the teachers are physically and morally disturbed by such uncertain future there is no way the teachers would be able to deliver quality returns to the children even if classes are being held,” the Association stated.
Demanding “fast track addressal of the matter,” the NSSATA stated that “blaming only the teachers for holding agitation and hampering the education system and not considering the discrimination of the teachers’ welfare is grievous.”
