MTET Mandatory Only for New Appointees, Says Education Minister

Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma clarified on Monday that the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET) will be mandatory only for new appointees, not for teachers already in service.
Addressing the demand for exemption from MTET for SSA teachers appointed on or before July 1, 2020, Sangma said, “Since these teachers are already appointed, the question doesn’t arise. To continue in the present position, the question doesn’t arise (to have MTET), but for new appointments, MTET is mandatory. For new appointments, it’s a different story, if I am not wrong. I don’t think those who are already appointed need MTET to continue.”
However, Sangma also noted the importance of adhering to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines and NCTE norms. “It is a ministry guideline, the decision of the Government of India. NCTE norms are there, so it is to be abided by the Ministry of Education. All teachers teaching in schools should have the required qualification,” he stated.
Regarding the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA)’s demand for an empowered committee to discuss the job security of SSA teachers and policy development, Sangma suggested that such a committee might not be necessary. He pointed to the State Education Commission, stating, “Any committee doesn’t matter because we already have the State Education Commission. The Meghalaya State Education Commission is already looking into all these aspects, be it SSA, government issues, colleges, or universities. You talk about high-powered or empowered committees—we already have the State Education Commission, and they are giving recommendations to the government on how to move forward.”
When asked about the timeline for the State Education Commission’s recommendations, especially concerning SSA teachers, Sangma acknowledged the challenges in funding and the time required for the Commission to compile its reports. He stated, “They are compiling the reports, and we don’t know how long they will take. We know the issues, and funding will be a challenge for the state. That is something that has to be decided by the state government as a whole because the financial burden is something that is debatable.”