The Nagaland RMSA Teachers, who have been on protest for 10 consecutive days, have outrightly rejected the State Government’s proposal to form a committee to examine their demands, terming it as “the Government’s lookout” and not a solution.

On the 10th day of their agitation, Advisor for School Education, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, met the association and the protesters outside the Secretariat office. Expressing solidarity, Yhome acknowledged that the department and the Government fully understand their grievances. He appealed to the teachers to call off the agitation, terming it “exhausting for all parties concerned.”

The Advisor also voiced concern for the students back in their own respective schools, who continue to suffer because teachers are not being able to attend classes. He said that the department is also looking in all aspects.

“This issue is a matter of service. The department will put up proposals with the Government, and it will be the call of the Government to take a decision. However, it is my job to protect the teachers and push for your rights,” Yhome told the protesting teachers.

He further informed that the Chief Minister has already set in motion the constitution of a committee, with or without the teachers’ association, and urged them to reconsider joining the high-powered panel.

He requested the association to explore that area well. However, he said it is upto them whether they want to join the committee or not.

Urging equesting the protesting teachers to be the part of the high-powered committee, Yhome said being part of the process would enable the association to stay informed on what is happening and update each other.

“You can have my assurance that we are going to put up various solutions. Whether you are on the streets or not, it was already underway to study all the cases and put it up for education department for solution,” he assured.

However, RMSA Teachers’ Association spokesperson, Renbemo L Patton, questioned the seriousness of the Government. He recalled that in 2024, the Supreme Court had directed that their case be settled outside the Court between the Government and the RMSA teachers. “We waited outside the Lok Adalat office, but the department never turned up,” he said.

He further said that the department gave them a written assurance that they would wait for by the decision and order of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court verdict is already out and it is a kind of cheating, he added.

“They are not upholding the letter they have forwarded to us. So when we talk about review petition they are not serious, they are not serious about our case. It is a delay tactics. If the government is serious about RMSA issues they would have implemented back in 2022,” Patton noted.

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Patton also mentioned that the challenge in the Supreme Court was also dismissed and it is a continuous process to delay their matter.

Demanding the rights and justice of the teachers, Patton said until the government implements the court verdict of implementing the scale pay, the association would not go back home.

On government’s proposal to form a committee, Patton mentioned that after long years of struggle, just to form a committee, is not wise on the part of the government. He said that the association has rejected it and have given time to the government to come up with some proposals and in good terms, the association left the meeting held on September 18.

Patton also added that the next course of action will be entering into hunger strike.

He warned that if the Government fails to act within the stipulated time, the association’s next course of action will be to launch a hunger strike.