FASTOM to hit the streets: Adhoc teachers demand salary hike

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 2, 2025

The Federation of Adhoc School Teachers of Meghalaya (FASTOM) has announced its decision to take to the streets in protest against the state government’s failure to enhance the salaries of adhoc teachers in the state. 

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, vice president of FASTOM SJungai said the federation has decided to hold a general body meeting on September 13 at Tura, West Garo Hills, to finalize the details of the agitation program. The protest will be held simultaneously in Shillong and Tura.

He said FASTOM has been demanding better pay and benefits for adhoc teachers, including upgradation to the deficit system, 5% annual increment, and extension of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, a reminder of which was submitted to education minister Rakkam A Sangma on March 17, 2023.

According to Jungai, the current salaries of adhoc teachers range from Rs 18,000 for lower primary, 22,000 upper primary, 29,000 secondary, Rs 31,000 science teachers, Rs 33,000 higher secondary.

Expressing disappointment with Meghalaya State Education Commission’s report, the FASTOM leader said, “We had hoped that the State Education Commission, constituted in July 2023, would address the issues faced by adhoc teachers. However, the final report submitted to the government did not include any recommendations for salary improvement for adhoc teachers.” 

“Apart from this, the federation has submitted several memoranda to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Education Minister, and officials of the education department, but their demands have not been met,” he added.

He stated that the last salary enhancement was in 2022, following agitation but it rendered insufficient to address the financial struggles of the adhoc teachers due to increased inflation. 

“We’re finding it increasingly difficult to provide quality education to our children and healthcare to our families.”

Jungai said despite providing quality education to thousands of students, adhoc teachers are grappling with financial insecurity, making it difficult for them to provide for their families.

Adhoc teachers struggle to pay college fees for their children besides fear of hospitalization as medical expenses and hospital bills are a significant burden, often forcing teachers to borrow from relatives, he said adding that many adhoc teachers retire with nothing, leaving them with depression and financial insecurity.

“The lack of benefits after retirement is a harsh reality, leaving many of us with nothing but depression,” Jungai said adding “We’re left with no choice but to conclude that we’re the most neglected category of teachers in Meghalaya.”

According to him, it is time for adhoc teachers to unite and take action to demand for their rights.