Shillong: Voice of the People Party chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit hit back at Meghalaya SSA Schools Association president Aristotle Rymbai on September 14. Basaiawmoit questioned Rymbai’s recent defense of Education Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri. He cited a viral photograph showing Rymbai hoisting the NPP election symbol at a party meeting alongside Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
Teachers must remain politically neutral. Basaiawmoit claimed the VPP does not have a personal vendetta against Mantri. He insisted the demand for the official's removal stems from systemic failures within the Education Department. He said the party based its stance on an objective assessment of the department's ongoing issues.
"This is unfortunate. We should no longer hesitate to speak the truth when we are associated with any political party," Basaiawmoit said. He also addressed the government's Structure Pay Framework for teachers. He noted the party supports fair recruitment but insists the state must guarantee adequate pay for all staff.
The VPP leader remains unmoved by the criticism from the SSA president. He warned that if the teachers' union is satisfied with current pay rates, a future VPP administration will not prioritize raising their salaries to match those of government or deficit school teachers. Basaiawmoit maintains that Rymbai’s opposition will not derail the party's broader political agenda.
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