Kohima, July 10 (MExN): The Nagaland RMSA Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA) 2015-16 has decided to boycott regular classes from Monday, July 11, until further notice, due to nonpayment of salaries for “almost half a year.”
The teachers stated that though they never intended to take such “bitter steps” that infringe upon the rights of the “innocent pupils,” the compulsion of circumstances left them with “no other option” but to boycott regular classes until the release of all pending salaries.
In a press release from NRMSATA General Secretary, Kezhothito Keyho, and its President, Renbemo L Patton, the Association informed that enough reminders had been made to the government department concerned but no action was taken.
The NRMSATA thus urged the department concerned from doing away with their “foxship policy” of not releasing the salary for several months in a row. It alleged that when poor teachers appeal for the release of pending salaries, the department “will try to lure” the teachers “by giving them one, two months’ salary in lieu of the pending five to six months salaries.”
This kind of “step motherly” treatment is being meted out to SSA, RMSA, Hindi Teachers, employed under CSS programme, the Association stated, noting that this is “not at all acceptable.”
The NRMSATA remained “inquisitive” if there are any guidelines given by the MHRD, Department of School Education and Literacy that, “those employed under central flagship programme have to keep on pestering the department or write several letters, submit representations, memorandums, serve ultimatum, in the end go for agitation etc. to get our salary.”
Requesting the department to stop their “crafty policy” once and for all, the central body of the NRMSATA informed all its members to “refrain from joining their duties until any further notification.”
The incumbent teachers cautioned that they are “ready to face any consequences for what is right and justice.” Meanwhile, the Association requested all concerned citizens to extend their support and cooperation as “all these related issues are the root cause of corruption in the society.”
Teachers denounce bond
The NRMSATA informed that 639 RMSA teachers appointed in 2016 were made to sign a ‘readymade bond’ by the Education Department (RMSA) at the time of obtaining their appointment orders.
According to the teachers, point number three of the bond states that the teacher “shall not resort to any kind of agitation awaiting funds from the Gol for salary.”
“The conditions placed on us were such that if failing or hesitant for signing the bond then we will be deprived of our appointment orders,” revealed the RMSA teachers. The teachers affirmed that the endorsement of the bond was not made out of their consent or their own volition.
“Subsequently, much to our embarrassment, its repercussion and jolt was felt by the RMSA Teachers 2015-16 when we have been denied of our salary for almost half a year by now without any rhyme or reasons from the responsible authority,” stated the NRMSATA.
The teachers stated that it has now become clear to them that the Government of Nagaland was using the “so-called bond” as its “tool” for harassing the RMSA Teachers 2015-16. Realising that the bond was meant to serve the “interest” of the Government of Nagaland “at the expense” of the RMSA Teachers, the NRMSATA 2015-16 has sought clarification from the department concerned to publicise the guidelines and procedures followed while drafting the said bond, after an open competition for selection of teachers, in the official gazette. The teachers also sought “precise information” as mentioned by the MHRD (Gol) in the appointment of RMSA Teachers in the State.
In this regard, the 639 teachers of RMSA 2015-16 have denounced the bond with “sound body, mind and soul” and declared that the bond will remain as “invalid with immediate effect and the same shall not have any binding on us in any manner from now and even in the near future.”
