Teachers peeved

THOUBAL, Apr 29 : Even as the 'democratic' protest of United Primary Teachers' Association Manipur (UPTAM) entered the sixth day demanding 7th Pay scale for primary teachers under Education (S),   the teaching community has expressed disappointment with the State Government for maintaining a stoic silence over the matter.
Notably, primary teachers in Manipur have been donning black badges while conducting classes as a mark of protest against the non implementation of the revised pay structure under 7th Pay Commission since the last few days.
Today, members of UPTAM carried out an inspection drive in various schools in Thoubal district. Speaking to media persons by the sideline, a primary teacher Martina Moirangthem conveyed that ROP 2019 which has become operational in different  departments of the State Government is yet to benefit the primary teachers under Education (S).
Claiming that the State Government seems to be taking the people in teaching profession for granted, Martina reiterated that the State Government disregarding the protest of  teachers is very unfortunate.
Further stating that PT teachers who were appointed in the pay scale of Rs 9,300-34,800 under Pay Band II have been receiving lesser salary (Rs 5,200-20,200) under Pay Band I, Martina stated that the teachers have also been urging the State Government to rectify the anomaly so that teachers could get the pay scale ensured at the time of appointment. She further said that the purpose of pay revision is to meet the increasing cost of commodities.
Maintaining that people in the teaching profession are not demanding a salary hike but to give what was assured at the time of appointment and corresponding grade pay, Martina asserted that the teachers don't want to intensify the protest as students have been deprived of normal classes for the last two years.