Nagaland Government Teachers’ Association (NGTA) 2010 and 2013 batches has decided to put on hold its ongoing agitation after the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) extended solidarity and assured to take up the matter with the state government.
The decision came after four days of peaceful protest outside the Directorate of School Education (DoSE), Kohima, demanding inclusion of salaries under the State Non-Plan budget.
Addressing the gathering, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang stated that it was the fourth day of the agitation and expressed disappointment that the government had not responded to the concerns raised by the teachers.
Asserting that agitations arise when systems fail, NSF president affirmed that the federations understood the sentiments and emotions of the teachers.
Heraang declared that 2010 and 2013 batches were the “sons and daughters” of NSF and ENSF and assured that the federations would not abandon them. He stated that the two student bodies had stood alongside the teachers thus far and would continue to pursue the issue with sincerity and commitment until their objective was achieved.
At the same time, he appealed to the teachers not to be guided by emotions and to uphold professionalism in their respective workplaces.
On behalf of the student community, NSF president urged them to return to their schools and continue working diligently for the welfare of students. He maintained that while the federations would handle negotiations and pursue justice, prolonged street protests could adversely affect the student community.
ENSF president Nuheymong Yimkhiung lauded the teachers for their dedication and sacrifices in shaping future generations.
Yimkhiung also affirmed that ENSF would not shy away from carrying the issue forward until justice was delivered. He disclosed that the federations had rejected certain meeting minutes placed before them, underscoring their seriousness on the matter.
Reassuring the teachers of unwavering support, he requested them to repose faith in the two federations and return to their classrooms. ENSF president further assured that they would be called upon if their presence became necessary.
Speaking on behalf of the agitating teachers, NGTA 2010 and 2013 president Peihau stated that the teachers had been denied their rights and had been staging the protest for four days, demanding what was rightfully theirs. He outlined three key demands—inclusion of their salaries under the State Non-Plan; implementation with effect from April 2026, and written compliance from the authorities.
Peihau stated that following deliberations with NSF and ENSF, and with the mandate of their members and core committees, the association decided to put the agitation on hold, placing trust in the two federations to carry forward the matter.
NGTA Dimapur unit president Alemkala expressed gratitude to both federations for their solidarity and commitment.
Background on the 2010 & 2013 Teacher Batches: NGTA said they were recruited through a transparent process involving official advertisements by the Department of School Education, competitive examinations, viva voce, and clearances from the Personnel & Administrative Reforms (P&AR) Department, Finance Department, and State Cabinet.
It said appointment orders specified regular pay scales, with no mention of contractual terms or termination clauses. For the 2010 batch, it said provisions included deductions for GPF and GIS; for the 2013 batch, details covered pay band, grade pay, and a 10% contribution to the NPS.
Since appointment, NGTA said the teachers have been treated as regular employees, receiving annual increments under the 7th Revision of Pay (ROP) and career progression under MACP scheme, as per the Nagaland School Education Service Rules, 2017.
Mainstreaming into state cadre: The teachers were formally mainstreamed into the State Education Cadre effective April 21, 2022, vide Order No. DSE/SSA-RMSA/COM/18-86/2021 dated September 2, 2022, following Cabinet approval (No. CAB-2/2013 dated April 21, 2022).
This followed an earlier Cabinet decision in principle (Office Memorandum No. CAB-2/2013(Pt) dated October 5, 2018), which approved mainstreaming subject to conditions such as biometric attendance, Aadhaar linkage, school mergers for low-enrollment institutions, and guidelines for underqualified teachers.
Reason for the protest: Despite mainstreaming over three years ago, NGTA said salaries continue to be drawn under CSS funding rather than the State Account Head. Multiple representations for the shift to State Non-Development Expenditure yielded no resolution. The association issued a 7-day ultimatum on February 16, 2026, followed by a two-day pen-down strike on February 24–25, 2026. With no progress, the NGTA commenced a peaceful sit-in protest at DoSE from February 26.
Meanwhile, NGTA has expressed gratitude to all supporters during the four-day protest, including the District Administration Kohima (Deputy Commissioner and officials), law enforcement personnel, the Angami Public Organisation, Kohima Village Youth Organisation, Kohima Village Council, and Bayavu Youth Organisation. It also thanked media for responsible and balanced coverage.
AKM expresses solidarity with NGTA
DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) has declared its full and unwavering solidarity with the Nagaland Government Teachers’ Association (NGTA), representing mainstreamed SSA and RMSA teachers of the 2010 and 2013 batches.
In a press release, AKM president Lanulemba Longchar and general secretary Aomayang Longkumer, also extended unequivocal support to the representation submitted by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF) to the chief secretary rejecting the meeting minutes dated February 27, 2026.
AKM acknowledged the state government’s effort in convening discussions on the grievances of the teaching community.
However, the student body echoed the concern raised by NSF and ENSF that the circulated minutes did not provide a clear and definitive assurance on the critical issue of salary placement once the Samagra Shiksha 2.0 scheme concludes.
AKM said the affected teachers—mainstreamed into the State cadre through the 2022 Cabinet decision—were entitled to full service benefits on a par with regular state government employees.
It said that the ongoing ambiguity regarding their post-Samagra Shiksha salary structure has created heightened anxiety and uncertainty among the teachers, potentially leading to further escalation of the agitation.
AKM expressed deep concern that failure to resolve the matter could severely disrupt academic functioning in government schools across the state, ultimately affecting the welfare and future of students.
It emphasised that the stability of the teaching community was directly linked to the stability of the education system.
AKM has, therefore, urged the state government to take urgent, corrective, and time-bound action to provide a clear written assurance that fully addressed the concerns of the mainstreamed teachers and restores confidence in the education sector.
AKM also expressed hope that the state government would act responsibly and promptly in the interest of justice and academic stability for the larger benefit of the student community.