The Nagaland RMSA Teachers’ Association–2016 marked its eleventh consecutive day of protest outside the Nagaland Civil Secretariat on Monday, highlighting a growing frustration over the state government’s delay in implementing court-directed pay and service benefits.
Despite multiple rounds of discussion, including a meeting on Monday with the Commissioner and Secretary of School Education, the teachers walked away without any assurance of progress. “The meeting yielded no concrete outcome,” association spokesperson Renbemo L Patton was quoted by Eastern Mirror, confirming that the sit-in would continue.
The agitation, which began on September 8, involves 367 members of the association demanding scale pay and service benefits that the courts have upheld. Prolonged delays have not only affected morale among teachers but also raised concerns among parents and students, many of whom face uncertainty in school operations due to the ongoing standoff.
Last Friday, Advisor for School Education Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome visited the protesters in an effort to resolve the impasse. While he urged the teachers to withdraw the sit-in, promising government commitment to their demands, the association remained firm on immediate implementation.
Adding to the tension, the state government recently constituted a committee headed by the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister to review the matter and submit recommendations. The association, however, rejected the committee, insisting that only immediate compliance with court directives would satisfy their demands. Officials have indicated that the committee will proceed with or without teacher cooperation.
(With inputs from EM)