Shillong, Oct 08: Dr. Jemino Mawtho, Legislator on the third day of the autumn session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has moved a motion on the provincialisation of the services of Teachers in all Government aided schools in Meghalaya which highlighted various issues relating to the education in the state of Meghalaya.
Replying to the motion moved, Education Minister RC Laloo said, “ at present the Government has decided to proventialise only deficient secondary and higher secondary schools run by Non Religious Organisation such as community owned schools and Village durbar.”
He said “with regard to the provincialization of schools, in accordance with the Meghalaya School Education Act 1981 Section 20 (2) whenever the management of any school is taken over every person incharge of the management of such school immediately before its management is taken over, shall deliver possession of the school property to the Government or any authorized officer. Section 20(6) states that during such period as any school remains under the management of the Government.”
He however, said “Government had consultative meeting with the Church leaders Cordination Committee on 27 September this year where the representatives from the catholic Mission expressed their views that provincialization of schools cannot be accepted by the Mission as the school has to handover all the asset and liabilities to the Government.”
The representatives from the KJP Synod also expressed the same view that the mission is not willing to provincialise the schools and teachers under their management. They also expressed that provincialisation of schools run by religious organisation will lead to problems in operating their institution. The minister said, “ the Government also held meeting with the Teachers Association such as JACATAM and AMPSTA on 30th September for discussion on various issues including provincialisation of schools and the services of the teachers servicing in Government aided schools.”
It was decided in the meeting that the issue needs further examination by studying the method and policy adopted by other states and whether it is possible to provincialise only the service of the teachers without taking over the whole schools.
Calling the issue as complex, the Minister said, “the issue at hand is complex and needs proper application of mind and due diligence.”
He said, “the department is aware of the challenges ahead and would be looking forward to adopt a policy that would keep the interest of the students upper most and ensure that the education eco system is conducive to growth of the students mentally physically and spiritually.” (SP News)
