Meghalaya Teachers Eligibility Test (MTET) is now compulsory for primary school teachers

SHILLONG, November 3, 2018: Clearing the Meghalaya Teachers Eligibility Test (MTET) is now mandatory for lower primary and upper primary school teachers in the state.

A report in The Sentinel stated that this condition will not be confined to only the government schools but to all Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and other government-aided schools throughout the state.

This was informed the Principal Secretary in charge of education Donald P Wahlang during an interview with the publication  on Friday.

Stating that the conduct of the examinations sometimes in January 2019 is in line with the National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE), the Principal Secretary also made it clear that the services of the serving teachers in any of the mentioned school will be regularized only after they clear MTET.

On being reminded about the alleged anomalies in the appointment of lower primary teachers in 2014 which is popularly known as the 'White inkgate' that has even reached the CBI and the Court, Wahlang said, " This is with reference to exams where both the tainted and non-tainted teachers appear for the examination for appointments to any vacancy that is available." It may be reminded that the Court had quashed the appointment of 246 eligible teachers in which the name of former minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and then Director of Elementary and secondary education, JD Sangma also figured.

However, there are serving teachers who are now ruing that they have to go for fresh exams after completing the mandated Diploma in Elementary education (DPlED).

"Many of us have crossed a certain age and that will make it difficult for us to again appear for the qualifying exams," a couple of teachers told The Sentinel. Many among them also apprehend that they could even lose their jobs. But they hoped that the authorities concerned will consider their long years of services in various village schools.

With The Sentinel inputs