Shillong: The Meghalaya government recently changed how it fills school vacancies. It now allows posts usually assigned to the State Pay Scale to be filled through the Structured Pay Framework. The move creates massive pay gaps for new hires. An Education Department notification dated August 12, 2026, confirmed the policy after the Finance Department gave its approval on August 10.
This policy runs for two financial years, ending in 2027-28. It hinges on the availability of funds. The SPF was originally built for SSA, RMSA, Adhoc, and non-government LP school staff. Applying it to government and deficit schools carries heavy baggage. Teachers fear for their pay and future service conditions.
The math does not add up for the new recruits. A regular government LP teacher earns Rs 41,761 per month. This includes a basic pay of Rs 24,700, plus DA, HA, HRA, and MA. By comparison, an SPF teacher with five years or less service takes home just Rs 22,680. That includes a flat pay of Rs 21,000 and CPF of Rs 1,680. Even veteran teachers with 28 years of service under the SPF structure only pull in Rs 27,000 total.
Critics want answers. They need to know if these hires are permanently trapped under lower pay tiers. No one knows what happens after 2027-28. The government remains silent on whether these teachers will ever reach the full State Pay Scale or receive back pay for lost wages. Skeptics point to the lack of transparency regarding Cabinet approval. "A clear explanation from the Education and Finance departments is awaited on why State Pay Scale vacancies are being filled through a framework originally designed for other categories of teachers," the report noted. Officials must now justify the administrative shift and clarify the long-term status of these staff members.
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