Shillong: Deficit teachers in Meghalaya have handed the state government a final deadline of October 9 to redress six pending demands, warning that they will launch an intensified statewide agitation if their appeals are not met. The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA) issued the ultimatum after staging a protest march from the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) office to Malki Ground on Friday.
Key grievances and deadline
The associations submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, stating their demands and expressing frustration that a formal request for a meeting with the chief minister has gone unanswered for almost a month. KJDSTA president Boswell Pala said the groups had exhausted patience and would escalate action if their demands were not addressed by the October 9 deadline.
“If all legitimate demands are not fulfilled by October 9, we shall be left with no alternative but to launch aggressive statewide protests. Any disruption to academic schedules or student activities shall rest entirely on the inaction and apathy of the government,”
What the teachers want
The memorandum outlines six principal demands. The associations highlighted issues that directly affect teachers’ pay, retirement contributions and job security:
- Clearing of outstanding dearness allowance (DA) arrears and payment of the correct DA rates due since July 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
- Immediate implementation of the revised employer matching contribution to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and settlement of arrears.
- Finalisation and clearance of pending recruitments for vacated or retired positions.
- Cease the conversion of deficit posts into SPF (Special Purpose Fund) temporary posts.
- Exemption from the Centralised Provident Fund Scheme 2026 for deficit staff.
- Restoration of the Board of Trustees under the 1969 Act and a binding deadline for transfer of CPF and NPS funds.
Details on arrears and CPF concerns
On DA, the associations said deficit teachers are currently being paid 49% while they contend the government should have disbursed 51% with effect from July 1, 2025, and 53% with effect from January 1, 2026. They also claimed a carryover of 43% arrears for January and February 2024.
Regarding CPF, the groups referred to an order dated November 21, 2024 that purportedly raised the employer matching contribution to 10% from January 1, 2025. The associations say staff are still receiving only 8% and have demanded immediate implementation along with arrear payments.
Potential impact on schools
Leaders warned that the intensified agitation would be statewide in nature and could affect routine academic schedules and student activities if the government does not respond. The associations framed their stance as a last resort after repeated attempts to secure a meeting with the chief minister and to have grievances heard through official channels.
Who joined the protest
The march to Malki Ground involved members of both KJDSTA and GHDSTEA. The memorandum delivered to the chief minister reiterated that deficit school staff constitute a significant portion of Meghalaya’s school workforce and urged prompt government action to prevent escalation.
What remains to be clarified
The state education department or the chief minister’s office had not issued an immediate response to the memorandum by the time of reporting. It remains unclear whether any interim talks or scheduling of a meeting have been proposed by officials following the submission.
| Issue | Association claim |
|---|---|
| Dearness Allowance | Paid 49%; 51% due from 1 Jul 2025; 53% due from 1 Jan 2026; 43% arrears for Jan–Feb 2024 |
| CPF employer contribution | Order raised to 10% from 1 Jan 2025; staff reportedly still getting 8% |
| Recruitment | Pending clearances for retired vacancies |
Next steps and public interest
As the October 9 deadline approaches, stakeholders including parents, schools and district education officers will be watching for either a negotiated settlement or an escalation of protests. A failure to resolve the issues could lead to interruptions that affect examinations, school programmes and classroom teaching across the state. The associations have signalled they will proceed with intensified action unless the government addresses the six demands within the stipulated timeframe.
