The All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG), 2015 batch, intensified its agitation on Monday, entering the fifth day of protest and announcing that it would begin hunger strike from February 10 over the long-pending demand for regularization of their services.

Core committee member, Zuchanbemo Ezung informed that the teachers’ agitation has failed to draw any concrete response from the State Government despite sustained peaceful protests. He said members of the group staged a demonstration at Naga Solidarity Park on the fifth day before dispersing in the evening and collectively resolved to launch the hunger strike.

Ezung clarified that the decision to resort to a hunger strike was not limited to the core committee but was a unanimous resolution taken by the ANATG 2015 batch. He further informed that the hunger strike would be staged outside the NSF Park, near the gate of the NSF office. He also extended gratitude to All Nagaland School Teachers Association for their support.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner & Secretary School Education Department, Government of Nagaland, ANSTA also appealed for immediate resolution of the long-pending issue of regularization of Ad-hoc Teachers under ANATG.

The All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA), being the apex and parent body of teachers in the State of Nagaland and representing the collective interests of all sections of the teaching fraternity, including the All Nagaland Ad-hoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG), placed on record its deep concern and strong discontent over the continued delay in resolving the long-pending issue of regularization of ad-hoc teachers.

ANSTA mentioned that on several occasions over the years, submitted written representations and held discussions with the Government, earnestly requesting a just, humane, and time-bound settlement of the ANATG regularization issue. These representations were made in good faith, keeping in view the interests of the teachers concerned as well as the larger interests of the education system in the State. Unfortunately, despite repeated assurances, the Government’s response has remained largely indecisive, resulting in prolonged uncertainty and distress among the affected teachers.

ANSTA also stated that the ad-hoc teachers under ANATG have served the School Education Department for well over a decade in many cases, discharging their duties with sincerity and commitment under difficult conditions, often with inadequate service security and financial stability. The constitution of the High Powered Committee (HPC) following earlier agitations had raised genuine hope that the matter would finally be resolved in a fair and transparent manner. However, the absence of concrete outcomes even after considerable passage of time has led to growing frustration and loss of confidence among the teachers.

ANSTA stated that the present imbroglio is not the result of impatience or unreasonable demands on the part of the teachers, but rather a direct consequence of the Government’s lack of visible sincerity and urgency in addressing a long-recognized and well-documented issue. Continued delay has not only aggravated the situation but has also adversely affected the morale of teachers and the academic environment in government schools.

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As the parent body, ANSTA highlighted that it remained a silent spectator while a significant section of the teaching community is pushed to repeated agitations for an issue that has already been acknowledged by the Government as legitimate. Such situations are avoidable and do not serve the interests of students, teachers, or the administration, it stated.

In this regard, ANSTA also urged the Government of Nagaland to take immediate and decisive steps to resolve the issue of regularization of ANATG members without any further delay. A clear policy decision, backed by a definite timeline, would go a long way in restoring trust, ensuring industrial peace, and strengthening the education system in the State, it added.

ANSTA stated that it remains committed to constructive dialogue and cooperation with the Government and sincerely hoped that the matter will be addressed with the seriousness and empathy it deserves.

It may be mentioned that the All Nagaland Ad-Hoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG) 2015 Batch has been agitating since February 4 outside Secretariat demanding the government to regularize their services.