EMN
Dimapur, March 22
Sticking to its decision, the Nagaland SSA Teachers Association (NSSATA) has announced its second phase of agitation in the form of indefinite boycott of classes beginning March 23 until the government fulfills its demands.
Also affirming that it will not accept any second party negotiating on its behalf with the government, the SSA teachers demanded that the responsible authorities resolve the present issues at the earliest if they really care about the welfare of the student community.
They further questioned the department of School Education as to why it did not perform its duties for timely release of teachers’ dues, distribution of textbooks, uniforms etc. if it is really concerned about welfare of the students.
Contradicting the DoSE which said that the actual pending salary for release was for the months of January and February 2014 as “misleading”, the NSSATA said the actual pending salary dues are from December 2013 to February 2014.The association further sought to know from the DoSE whether March 2014 is the right time for processing the salary of December 2013.
On the issue of job security, the NSSATA demanded that the government stop appointments/filling up the vacant posts of retiring State government teachers to accommodate the SSA teachers 2010-2013 batch on the basis of seniority and merit.
“This is necessary to avoid future inconveniences in the department as the said category of teachers has to be absorbed sooner or later under the State government,” the NSSATA said.
DoSE makes earnest appeal to SSA teachers
The Directorate of School Education has made an earnest appeal to the SSA teachers to call off their strike since the reason for the inability to release the pending salaries and arrears has been made clear.
Stating that the issue is beyond the control of the State government and the department, Principal Director, Department of School Education, Kesonyu Yhome once again reiterated that salaries and arrears will be released once the Centre sanctions the second installment which is imminent.
He, therefore, requested the SSA teachers to bear with the department and resume their duties, which shall be seen as an act of benevolence especially for the lives of those children they have been entrusted to mentor.
