LETTERS | Why are Meghalaya SSA teachers’ rights being deprived?
LETTERS | SHILLONG | Sept 01, 2019:
In India, Teacher's day is celebrated every year on 5th September as a mark of accolade to the part played by the teachers in the society. 5th September which is also the birth anniversary of a great mentor Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, who was a grand advocate of edification, and was the distinguished envoy, academician, and India's President, above all a great Teacher.
On this special occasion of Teachers, when we talk about the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) a Government of India's flagship programme implemented in partnership with State Governments for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE), as mandated by 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory Education to the Children of 6-14 years age group, a Fundamental Right, which aims to provide quality elementary education including life skills and also special focus on girl's education and children with special needs.
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When it comes to the agenda of 12541 Elementary Teachers appointed under SSA who play the main role for achieving these goal and vision, it is very sad to say their rights are being deprived.
"Promising career prospects, which is quite a motivation booster like the scales of pay and allowances, medical facilities, provident fund, maternity benefits and other prescribed benefits of teachers, is almost nil for the 12541 SSA Teachers in the State of Meghalaya even after 17 years of implementation of the SSA flagship programme".
It may be mentioned, in 1st April, 2010 the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 became operative in the country and the RTE Act has important implications for the overall approach and implementation strategies of SSA.
"Whether the main purpose for which these protective laws were made is observed or not? Whether teachers are benefited by these various protective laws meant for them?"
As teachers are at the heart of our education system and the success of any effort to improve the quality education is solely dependent on teachers so they need to be taking care of.
Our education system will be able to deliver good education only when government start taking care of the teachers; partial implementation of rules or implementation that does not reflect the spirit of quality education defeats the entire purpose of it.
By Aristotle C Rymbai
President Meghalaya SSA School Association, Central Body