The agitation by the Nagaland Government Teachers Association (NGTA) entered its third day on Monday, with 2,293 teachers continuing their protest outside the Directorate of School Education, demanding that their salaries be shifted to the State Plan.
Advisor for School Education and SCERT Kekhrielhoulie Yhome said the government remains open to dialogue but ruled out any move that bypasses established procedures or legal provisions. He asserted that shifting salaries of the protesting teachers, largely from the RMSA 2010 and 2013 batches, to the State Plan would have serious financial implications and could result in the state losing over Rs 80 crore in central assistance.
The teachers, however, maintained that they would not call off their agitation until their demands are met.
Referring to the 2015 batch of ad hoc teachers, Yhome said 2,483 tutors had been regularised despite being appointed without open recruitment. Of these, around 1,166 are currently part of the agitation. He added that only 235 teachers have submitted the required documents for scrutiny by the Personnel &
Administrative Reforms (PNR) Department, and about 100 cases have been cleared so far.
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Citing a Supreme Court ruling, the Advisor said that regularisation must adhere to legal norms and due process. Teachers have been asked to furnish appointment orders, academic certificates, medical fitness documents and other records for verification. Those found with fake or invalid documents would face termination and recovery of salaries, he warned.
Expressing concern over the impact on students, particularly those from economically weaker sections, Yhome appealed to the protesting teachers to return to classrooms. He cautioned that prolonged absence without sanctioned leave could invite disciplinary action, including service breaks.
While acknowledging that some of the teachers’ demands are “reasonable”, he reiterated that no decision would be taken under pressure and that all matters would be dealt with strictly under the rule of law.
Asked how the department was coping with the ongoing protest, Yhome said schools are facing a shortage of staff, but available teachers are managing academic activities for now.
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