SHILLONG/TURA, Oct 13: Classes in several deficit schools across Meghalaya were disrupted on Tuesday as teachers and employees began a three-day mass casual leave to press for the withdrawal of Scheme 2026 and restoration of the Board of Trustees (BoT).
The agitation, called by the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA), will continue till October 15.
KJDSTA president Boswell S. Pala said the Education Department’s reply to a September 25 memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma failed to address core demands. Instead of responding to objections against Scheme 2026, the department’s October 8 letter directed staff to register for Permanent Retirement Account Numbers (PRAN), which the association views as linked to the very scheme it wants scrapped.
The associations have also rejected the suggestion that deficit teachers be included in the BoT constituted on April 27, saying it does not restore the earlier board.
GHDSTEA secretary Brian Sengsrang Ch. Marak said the decision followed repeated representations that yielded no resolution on welfare, service conditions and retirement benefits. The association has demanded an increase in dearness allowance from 49% to 53%, higher CPF contribution from 8% to 10%, timely salary payment, filling of vacant sanctioned posts, and exemption from the Centralised Provident Fund Scheme, 2026. It has also sought a clear, time-bound schedule for the transition to CPF and the National Pension Scheme, including fund transfers.
Both associations described the mass casual leave as a peaceful democratic protest and appealed for the cooperation of teachers, parents and students.
Responding, the government has urged the associations to call off the agitation and promised to release enhanced DA arrears before the Puja holidays. In a letter, Education Department Joint Secretary D. Lyngdoh said arrears at 43% for January-February 2024 have already been paid. Payments at 51% from July 1, 2025, and 53% from January 1, 2026, along with corresponding arrears, are under process and verification.
On the CPF, the department has asked teachers with State Bank of India accounts to apply for PRAN and submit details to the District School Education Officer. Those without SBI accounts will have to wait until the Board of Trustees obtains the required GSTN. The demand for representation on the BoT has been referred to its chairperson. On recruitment, School Management Committees have been asked to initiate the process for vacant sanctioned posts and seek necessary approvals.
Citing a September 10 High Court judgment, the department noted that the 2026 scheme substantially complied with Supreme Court directions, though the court left the merits of objections open to challenge. Lyngdoh said several issues have been addressed while others remain under examination, and urged dialogue instead of disruption.