The Meghalaya cabinet on Friday approved a revised pay structure for more than 23,000 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and ad hoc teachers, introducing structured pay scales, annual increments, and enhanced job security.

The decision ends years of reliance on fixed honorariums and temporary contracts, some extending for over a decade. Under the new system, eligible teachers will move to formal pay slabs, ensuring regular remuneration and greater employment stability.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma termed the move “historic,” highlighting its aim to balance teacher welfare with the state’s financial sustainability. “Our teachers are the backbone of the education system. This is about dignity, stability, and recognizing their invaluable contribution,” he said.

The education department will implement the scheme in phases and issue detailed guidelines on eligibility, service conditions, and the transition process. Teacher unions have long raised concerns over low pay, delayed increments, and job insecurity, which they said affected morale and teaching quality. Officials said the reform is part of a broader effort to enhance teacher retention and improve education standards across Meghalaya.