The Arunachal Pradesh Teacher Educators’ Association (APTEA) has announced an indefinite pen-down strike if its demand for timely salary release is not accepted through a change in the funding system by the state government. The salary of teacher educators is dependent on centrally sponsored scheme funding mechanisms, which cause recurring delays in salary payments. This is a grave injustice to the teacher educators.

They are demanding that District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) employees be paid directly from the state exchequer to ensure timely and regular disbursement of salaries, like other government employees. The demands are valid. How does the government expect the educators to survive amid such uncertainty, yet expect them to guide in-service teachers and others aspiring to become teachers?

APTEA seeks regular salary payments through the state head/state exchequer for SCERT and DIET employees. It has already conducted two phases of pen-down strikes already.

The association alleges that the state government is not taking its demands seriously, leading to the decision to launch an indefinite strike.

According to APTEA, the salary-related issue began in 2019 and remains unresolved. A total of 103 affected employees have continued performing their duties despite facing financial difficulties due to irregular salary payments.

There are 11 DIET across Arunachal Pradesh, and all of them face the same issue of salary uncertainty.

Following the protests, the Education Department has already released the pending salaries for April and May to DIET employees. However, the educators want a permanent solution that ensures regular and timely payment of salaries. The government must address all the technical issues and ensure timely payment for DIET and SCERT employees.