The All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA), an affiliate of the School Teachers’ Federation of India (STFI), has decided not to participate in the proposed teachers’ mass hunger strike scheduled for October 17, citing the assurance given by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio regarding the concerns of Pre-RTE teachers over exemption from the Nagaland Teacher Eligibility Test (NTET).
The mass hunger strike is scheduled to be held at the state headquarters of STFI-affiliated associations.
In a statement, ANSTA said the decision followed a recent meeting between the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of Pre-RTE Teachers, Nagaland, and the Chief Minister, during which the committee submitted a representation seeking his intervention with the Government of India for exemption of Pre-RTE teachers from the NTET.
According to ANSTA, Rio gave a patient hearing to the teachers’ concerns and assured the committee that he would discuss the matter with his Council of Ministers and MLAs. He also assured the committee that he would remain in touch with it regarding further developments.
Taking the assurance into consideration, ANSTA said it had decided to repose its trust and confidence in the State Government and allow the matter an opportunity for due consideration. The association expressed hope that the assurance would lead to positive steps towards addressing the concerns of Pre-RTE teachers in Nagaland.
ANSTA clarified that its decision was based solely on the confidence it placed in the Chief Minister and the State Government and was not intended to undermine the objectives of the School Teachers’ Federation of India (STFI), of which it is an affiliated association, or diminish the federation’s efforts to safeguard teachers’ rights, dignity and welfare.
The association said it held STFI’s initiatives and collective efforts in high regard and hoped the federation would understand the circumstances prevailing in Nagaland and the reasons behind its decision.
ANSTA reiterated its commitment to the cause of teachers and to pursuing a favourable resolution of the Pre-RTE teachers’ issue, expressing hope that the confidence reposed in the State Government would be met with positive developments in the larger interest of the teaching community.
