SSA teachers call off strike

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, APR 18: Agitating SSA schoolteachers today called-off their indefinite strike and instead announced observation of a black flag week from tomorrow to further pressurize the state government to comply with their 3-point demands.

They have also threatened to intensify their agitation by staging a three-day hunger strike fromApril 26.

The decision was taken at an emergency central executive committee (CEC) meeting of the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA) held on Tuesday following the concerns expressed by parents and school managing committees.

Earlier today, functioning of over 5000 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) schools across the state were hit as thousands teachers did not attend schools during the hours of the strike.

It may be mentioned, the indefinite strike was decided at a rally held in the city on April 12, as a mark of protest against the failures of the state government to release the revised pay of 12,481 SSA teachers and their arrears due from April 2016.

The other demand of teachers includes salary enhancement of 1521 Fourth teachers, which was pending since 2013 and immediate announcement of a complete D.El.Ed (a 2-year teacher training course) results.

Announcing its decision at a news conference held here, MSSASA president Aristotle C Rymbai said, “In view of the request from concerned parents and managing committees, we have decided to withdraw our indefinite strike while taking into account the interest of the students.”

However stating that they would continue with their agitations, he said that the association has decided to observe a black flag week, which will begin from tomorrow till April 24.

“All SSA schools will be hoisting black flags,” he said while further informing that if the state government continues to be adamant, the teachers will go for a 3-day hunger strike from April 26.