SHILLONG : Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday sought to ease concerns over the deployment of teachers for census-related duties, stating that the work would not overburden educators and that they would receive financial incentives ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said the first phase of the exercise would only last for 30 days and teachers would be assigned to specific villages for enumeration work.
“In fact, it is very simple. For this first phase, we have calculated it will take only 30 days. The teachers can go to those designated villages we have already assigned, only 30 days,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister explained that teachers would be able to carry out the work alongside their normal teaching responsibilities without disrupting school activities.
“That 30 days also is up to them as they can work for 2-3 or 4 hours after school. They can go along with the traditional heads, the Rangbah Shnong, maybe cover 4-5 households in a day because this is about enumeration,” he said.
Tynsong further stated that the process had already been simplified to make the exercise easier for teachers and citizens alike.
“The prescribed form is already there to fill up and explain to the citizens of the state. It is very simple, so we have already calculated that it is not overloaded work,” he added.
He also highlighted the monetary benefits that teachers would receive for participating in the census exercise.
“Rather I should say they will also be monetarily benefited as we are going to give them some bonus, some lump sum amount. For one month, the range is between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000,” Tynsong said.
Responding to concerns raised over the engagement of teachers in non-academic duties, the Deputy Chief Minister clarified that the process would be carried out only after consultation with local authorities and concerned departments.
“It is not only from the state government that we are doing this. The in-charge officers are the BDOs of the respective blocks, and they will engage teachers only after consultation with the Rangbah Shnong, the managing committee and the concerned department,” he explained.
“So once that is done, then only the order for engaging them in these activities starts,” Tynsong added