Shillong : The Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA) on Tuesday urged the state government to launch a time-bound recruitment drive to fill vacant teaching posts and resolve long-pending service-related issues affecting college teachers across Meghalaya.
An MCTA delegation led by its President Shiv K. Pradhan met Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and submitted a memorandum highlighting faculty shortages, pending UGC pay matters, promotions and the growing workload following the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).
According to the Association, data collected from 10 member colleges revealed that 41 sanctioned teaching posts are currently lying vacant, placing additional pressure on existing faculty and affecting the quality of teaching and student support in deficit colleges.
The MCTA also raised several pending service matters, stating that 69 teachers are still drawing the State Pay Scale despite opting for the UGC Pay Scale, while 25 teachers are awaiting UGC pay scale upgradation.
In addition, the Association said that more than 70 eligible teachers in deficit colleges are yet to receive placement and promotion under the UGC Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), even after fulfilling the required criteria.
The delegation further pointed out that the implementation of the NEP and the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under the revised NEHU regulations has significantly increased academic responsibilities. It urged the government to review faculty strength, noting that the revised regulations provide for additional teaching posts for the fourth year of the programme.
The Association also appealed to the government to release the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for revisions from 53% to 55%, 55% to 58%, and 58% to 60%.
MCTA thanked Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui for hearing its concerns and expressed hope that the government would take prompt action to strengthen higher education institutions and support the effective implementation of NEP reforms across the state.