ITANAGAR, Jan 5: Social activist Payi Gyadi has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to the plight of the SSA teachers in Arunachal Pradesh, as well as to the poor state-of the-affairs of elementary education in the state.
In a letter to the MHRD secretary, Gyadi stated that there are more than 7000 SSA teachers currently serving in the state; but they are never paid salary on time despite timely sanctioning of the central share.
‘Irregular payment has not only pushed the teachers into financial hardship but also greatly affected the growth of elementary education in the state,’ the letter said.
Gyadi alleged that deepening corruption has led to deterioration of the quality of education in the state.
He said that the status of education has reached ‘such a state that many Class X students cannot read and write properly.’
Gyadi also alleged ‘undue influence and political interference’ in the recruitment process, transfer and posting of teachers for political gains.
‘While the students do not get complete textbooks or uniforms there is mismanagement in implementation of the midday meal scheme in schools,’ he said, adding that the officials concerned never visit schools to try to understand the ground realities.
Gyadi appealed to the MHRD secretary to conduct a through inquiry into the alleged corruption.
‘Action should be initiated at the earliest in the greater interest of the serving teachers for quality education,’ he said.
