Kohima: The Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association for the 2016 batch has formally appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene and authorize a court-mandated pay scale. These educators, recruited through a competitive process to staff upgraded government high schools, argue that they have performed identical duties to regular staff for over ten years without a raise.
The push for pay parity follows a protracted eight-year legal battle. In January 2026, the Supreme Court finalized the matter by dismissing both a Special Leave Petition and a subsequent Review Petition. This ruling solidified a March 2022 Gauhati High Court decision that affirmed the principle of equal pay for equal work.
Despite these legal victories, teachers report that their compensation remains frozen at the original fixed rates. The association noted that four years have passed since the initial High Court verdict, leaving many facing severe financial uncertainty. Members emphasized that their positions were created with full government approval rather than as temporary or casual roles.
The association highlighted that similar educators in Arunachal Pradesh have already seen their positions regularized. By maintaining their classroom duties despite the ongoing dispute, the teachers believe they have demonstrated professional dedication. They are now urging the state leadership to resolve the situation with “wisdom, fairness and statesmanship” to ensure the long-awaited implementation of their pay scale.
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