With the protest by RMSA teachers entering its tenth day, the State Government has made a public appeal for them to return to classrooms while a newly constituted committee studies their demands for regularization.
Addressing the media in Kohima on Friday, Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome acknowledged the teachers’ concerns but clarified that the matter is sub judice and must be addressed within the framework of service rules and financial realities.
He explained that the 367 protesting teachers from the 2016 batch were recruited under a centrally sponsored scheme on explicit contractual terms. Their appointment letters clearly stated they were contingency staff, terminable with one month’s notice, and their current demand for full state regularization with scale pay contradicts those original terms.
Dr. Yhome said some petitioners are currently paid Rs 31,350 per month, while around 100 non-petitioners receive Rs 25,000.
He emphasized that all teachers had signed a bond under the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), agreeing to conditions tied to funding-dependent salaries, transfers, and training. “These conditions were voluntarily agreed upon. Nobody put a gun to their head,” he remarked, rejecting claims of coercion.
He said that the High Court had earlier ruled in favor of some teachers on the principle of “equal work, equal pay.” However, the state government filed a review petition on August 14, arguing that the court had not fully examined the contractual nature of the appointments. This review petition is still pending, he added.
He informed that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has constituted a committee headed by the Principal Secretary to specifically study the case of the 367 teachers and appealed to the protesting teachers to engage with this committee.
“The solution may or may not be agreeable to the teachers, but the government will definitely take up their case,” he said. He added that the committee would proceed with or without their participation, but their involvement would ensure colleagues remain updated.
Expressing concern over the prolonged agitation, Dr. Yhome said it is poor children who suffer most when classes remain disrupted. “It breaks my heart that children are abandoned in this way,” he lamented, urging teachers to return to schools even as discussions continue.
He also warned against outside influences exploiting the protest with “slanderous and accusatory” remarks for publicity.
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The Advisor stressed the need to address the larger issue of over 5,000 contingency teachers engaged under various schemes across Nagaland. “Out of this, why should only 367 be considered in isolation?” he asked.
He admitted that irregularities in appointments between 2010 and 2018 had “created a mess” but assured that the government is working to clean up data and pursue case-by-case solutions.
Acknowledging the “trust deficit” between teachers and the government, Dr Yhome said the aim is “to bring dignity to the teachers.” “We are not refusing your demands. We are following due process,” he assured.
Concluding his appeal, the Advisor urged teachers to return to classrooms without further delay. “Children cannot be left without teachers. Your case is a priority, and the government is strong enough to consider reasonable demands,” he affirmed.
