SHILLONG : Deficit school teachers and employees under the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA) will launch an indefinite strike from November 11, 2026, demanding the release of pending salaries, dearness allowance (DA) arrears and the implementation of long-pending service and pension-related benefits.
The decision was announced by KJDSTA president Boswell Pala during a press conference on Monday. He said the association had taken the decision at its annual general meeting held on November 7 after reviewing several unresolved issues affecting deficit teachers and employees across Meghalaya.
Among the major demands are the implementation of the Centralised Provident Fund (CPF), the National Pension System (NPS), and Scheme 2023, along with the revocation of Scheme 2026. The association is also demanding the implementation of a 10 per cent CPF contribution from teachers’ salaries and the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS).
Pala expressed concern over what he described as the government’s attempts to introduce the Special Provident Fund (SPF) into deficit posts and convert deficit posts into composite grant posts. He also pointed out that some schools were allegedly not advertising vacant deficit posts.
The association president said teachers had still not received their salaries as of November 9, adding to their financial difficulties and frustration over repeated delays.
He further recalled that the Education Department had, through a letter dated October 8, 2026, assured teachers that the enhanced DA rates of 51 per cent and 53 per cent, along with the pending arrears, would be released before the Puja holidays.
However, Pala said the holidays had passed without the promised payments being made. He also expressed disappointment over the department’s response during discussions on November 1, claiming that officials had failed to provide clarity on the release of the DA enhancement.
Accusing the government of repeatedly delaying the settlement of teachers’ dues through assurances and dialogue, Pala said the association could no longer wait without taking further action.
He appealed to students, parents and school management committees to understand the circumstances behind the decision, stressing that the strike was not being called willingly but because of the prolonged neglect of the teachers’ demands.
Pala maintained that the agitation was not solely for the benefit of serving teachers and employees but was also intended to protect the interests of current and future students, as well as those who may seek employment in the deficit education system.
He said the association wanted deficit posts to remain protected and secure, while any future changes to the system should result in improvements rather than undermine existing rights.
Responding to criticism of the proposed strike, Pala questioned what alternatives remained for teachers who had allegedly been denied their salaries, benefits and arrears for an extended period.
He also urged members of the public who were unfamiliar with the association’s demands to seek clarification before judging the agitation.
Pala expressed serious concern over what he described as a worsening situation in Meghalaya’s education sector, particularly regarding the future of the deficit system and the security of teachers and employees working under it.
The indefinite strike is scheduled to begin on November 11, with the association urging the public to support its demands for the protection of teachers’ rights and the education system in the state.