Meghalaya ad hoc teachers protest, demand regularisation and pay hike

Shillong: Hundreds of ad hoc school teachers in Meghalaya staged a protest in the state capital on Monday, pressing for regularisation of their services and an increase in salaries.

Organised under the banner of the Federation of All School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM), the teachers marched on foot to highlight their demands. They accused the state government of failing to fulfil assurances made nearly two years ago.

FASTOM is seeking the immediate transfer of ad hoc teachers to the deficit system, a 5% annual salary increment, enhancement of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, and implementation of commitments made by Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma on December 17, 2023.

Ad hoc teachers in Meghalaya currently receive fixed honorariums—Rs 18,000 for lower primary, Rs 22,000 for upper primary, Rs 29,000 for secondary, Rs 31,000 for science, and Rs 33,000 for higher secondary sections. Unlike regular and deficit teachers, they are not entitled to service benefits despite forming a substantial part of the state’s teaching workforce.

“Ad hoc teachers perform the same duties as regular ones but remain deprived of benefits. The government must bring in a clear policy to reform the ad hoc system,” said FASTOM vice president S. Jungai.

He added that many teachers have been serving for decades on meagre pay. Jungai warned that the agitation would continue indefinitely if the government did not respond positively.

“If the authorities act within a day or two, it will be good. If not, we will be forced to intensify the protest,” he cautioned.