Morung Express News
Kohima | April 18
Following the failure of the government to pay their salary for six months, the Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA) is currently on a three day boycott of classes starting from April 17 to 19 as part of its first phase agitation. The delay in the payment of salary affects more than 1000 teachers in Nagaland State’s government schools.
For the past six months, the Association has had more than five meetings with the concerned authorities to press for their salaries. “They pass the blame on each other. They always try to bluff us. In each meeting they will assure that they are looking into the matter, or that our salaries will be given in one month’s time,” said NRMSATA President Renbemo Patton, who mentioned that the failure to provide a positive response has compelled the RMSA teachers to boycott the classes.
“It’s not that we have resorted to this action blindly. This is the only way to fulfill our demands,” affirmed Patton informing that the second phase agitation will see a poster campaign in strategic locations of the Capital. The third phase, ‘a last resort’ according to Patton, will be a sit in protest.
With the first term examinations beginning in the first week of May, the Association has expressed apprehension on the agitation which will impact the students. Moreover, Patton stated that the RMSA teachers also deals with Class X students which is a grave concern since Class X is one of the most crucial stages for a student that decides the career options of the child. “If we fail to produce better results, it will affect the future education prospects of the students,” said Patton.
