The government of Meghalaya has announced its intention to file a review petition against a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for all in-service teachers. This order, issued on September 1, is expected to impact over 32,000 teachers throughout the state.
Lahkmen Rymbui, the state”s Education Minister, stated that the government would seek an exemption for teachers who were appointed prior to the enforcement of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. The government argues that the Supreme Court”s decision carries a retrospective implication.
“Our position is that this Supreme Court judgment has a retrospective effect. We aim to secure an exemption for those teachers appointed before the RTE Act came into force,” Rymbui explained in an interview with PTI.
Following the RTE Act”s implementation, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) issued guidelines outlining minimum standards and qualifications for teachers, which the state has adhered to since then. Rymbui emphasized, “After the arrival of the RTE and the subsequent NCTE notification, the criteria for teacher recruitment were clarified, and the state government has complied with these standards. Therefore, there is no issue of non-compliance.”
The Minister expressed particular concern for teachers appointed before the RTE Act who may not satisfy the current TET requirements. “More than 32,000 teachers will be impacted by this ruling, meaning they will need to pass the TET within a two-year period,” he noted. He raised concerns that not all these teachers might be able to pass the test within the given timeline.
Rymbui clarified that teachers who have already successfully completed the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET) or the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) are exempt from taking any additional TET exams, assuring that their employment remains secure.
When questioned about recommendations from the state education commission to phase out underqualified teachers, Rymbui referred to the matter as “a question of interpretation.” He asserted that the government has been hiring teachers according to the criteria set by the NCTE, indicating that these individuals are already qualified. “Once they meet the NCTE”s prescribed criteria, they are eligible to remain in service,” he stated.
The decision to pursue a review petition reflects the government”s concern for the many teachers whose livelihoods could be jeopardized by the Supreme Court”s ruling. “The court has mandated that in-service teachers must pass the TET within two years. However, should the court reconsider or amend its ruling, that would alter the situation,” Rymbui added.
He reiterated that the state government does not oppose the TET requirement but seeks a reasonable approach that acknowledges the service of teachers appointed before the RTE Act was enacted. “Many of these teachers have dedicated years to the education system and made significant contributions. We simply ask that their long-standing service and experience be taken into account before imposing such a retroactive condition,” the Minister concluded.
The Supreme Court”s ruling on September 1 stipulated that all in-service teachers, irrespective of their length of service or appointment date, must pass the TET within two years to retain their positions, aligning with qualifications set forth by the NCTE. If the state government”s review petition is accepted, it could provide significant relief for numerous teachers in Meghalaya, many of whom were hired before the RTE Act was enacted in 2009.
