Kohima, April 17 (EMN): About one thousand RMSA teachers appointed under centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) across the state, under the aegis of the Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA), have boycotted three days of class which begins today. The boycott of classes will continue till April 19 as part of the first phase of agitation due to non-payment of salaries for the last five months.
Talking to media person, NRMSATA president, Renbemo L Patton said the teachers have been left with no option but to resort to agitation in the face of continued silence from the government in spite of its representation, and the seven days ultimatum served to the government on April 6, 2017 which expired on April 13.
Patton said they are ready for any consultation and negotiation to settle things amicably, however he lamented that till today it has not receive any response from the government.
He also informed that if the government doesn’t respond within three days, it will start its second phase of agitation in the form on poster campaign across the state for three days which will be followed by its third phase of agitation in the form of a sit-in protest at the directorate of School of Education (DoSE) and Civil Secretariat.
Highlighting the plight of the teachers, Patton queried: “How can teachers posted in far-flung areas go on teaching with empty stomach without any salary?’
He commented that the state government has so much concern for the state employees, but care less for the CSS appointed teachers.
“Though we have no intention and are not interested to take this kind of agitation, this is the only option left with us to get what we deserve”, added Patton.
NRMSATA general secretary, Kezhothito Keyho said ‘we are hoping that after the ultimatum, they would understand the severity of the problems the teachers were going through due to non-payment of our salaries. However, they are not at all concern about the problems that the teachers are facing till today.’
While stating that they were compelled to take these stringent steps, Keyho said many teachers were in debt, where it has become impossible to make ends meet. He strongly asserted that unless the teachers were remunerated for services rendered, they cannot continue to work. “We have passed the limit of our patience”, he added.
Also talking on its service regularisation, NRMSATA officials decried the unfair treatment meted out to the RMSA teachers depriving of their rights and justice by inducting them as purely contractual employees though it has fulfilled all the pre-requisite qualifications.
In this regard, they said that a representation has been submitted to the government while the officials have also met the chief secretary, commissioner and secretary and director RMSA to look into the matter and re-examine the guideline and framework of RMSA.
