GUWAHATI, Sept 7: Thousands of primary teachers staged a protest at Kahilipara in Guwahati on Monday, demanding restoration of their regular-teacher status and opposing the payment of their salaries through the SNA-SPARSH system. The teachers alleged that the Assam Education Department had failed to honour commitments regarding their service status and salaries.
The protest was organised by the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA), which raised concerns over teachers appointed through special recruitment processes in September 2024 and March 2026.
According to ASPTA, 15,029 teachers who had served under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan since 2012 were regularised through a special process in 2024. The association said they subsequently received salaries as regular teachers through the Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE) for around 21 to 22 months.
However, ASPTA alleged that a July 31, 2026, order directed that the teachers be shown as serving against scheme posts under Samagra Shiksha, Assam and paid through the SNA-SPARSH module. The association said it opposed the decision through memoranda and representations and held discussions with government officials.
The teachers’ body further alleged that the SRD teachers received their August salaries through SNA-SPARSH despite their objections. It also recalled that Education Minister Ranoj Pegu had assured the association on August 11 that the teachers would not be paid through SNA-SPARSH and would instead receive salaries as regular teachers.
ASPTA president Ratul Chandra Goswami and general secretary Shailendra Kalita expressed disappointment, alleging that the government had failed to honour the assurance.
Joint Secretary S N Choudhury and DEE Director Suranjana Senapati met the association’s leaders during the protest and received their memorandum. According to ASPTA, the officials assured them that the department would take responsibility for the matter and ensure salary payments in accordance with their appointment letters.
The association also alleged that authorities attempted to prevent teachers from attending the protest by visiting the residences of subdivision-level office-bearers, searching vehicles carrying teachers and stopping some from travelling to Guwahati.
Despite the alleged measures, ASPTA said thousands of teachers participated peacefully. The association warned of larger protests if the issue remained unresolved.
The protesters said their demand was not limited to timely salary payments but included restoration of their regular-teacher status and payment according to the terms of their appointment orders.
