Shillong: Teachers in Shillong skipped celebrations this Teachers’ Day. They chose protest over parties. The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) focused on the looming threat of job cuts. Government officials want to abolish sanctioned deficit teacher posts. The union sees this as a mistake.
KJDSTA president Boswell Pala questioned the timing of these cuts. Schools suffer from a massive teacher shortage. Qualified candidates need jobs. The association wants the government to explain why they would eliminate positions rather than fill them. "A vacant sanctioned post is not merely an entry on a government file but represents a classroom without a teacher," the group stated.
These spots could help private and SSA teachers who meet necessary requirements. Instead, they face uncertainty. The union warned that cutting roles will hurt the quality of education across the state. They want the government to prioritize professional security for young, talented teachers.
The protest goes beyond staffing levels. Teachers are fighting for unpaid salaries and missing benefits. The group reported that the July 2026 salary remains unpaid. They are demanding a 51 percent DA increase from July 2025 and 53 percent from January 2026. Arrears for 43 percent DA from early 2024 are also outstanding.
Implementation of CPF and NPS remains stalled. The government issued an order for a 10 percent CPF contribution in 2024 but failed to follow through. Retired staff are also suffering. The union wants the immediate release of Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity. They called for full accountability regarding how the Board of Trustees operates and manages teacher affairs.
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