Shillong: The Meghalaya government will move the Supreme Court seeking a review of its September 1 order mandating the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for all in-service teachers, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said on Tuesday.
The state plans to request an exemption for teachers appointed prior to the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, arguing that the court’s directive unfairly applies retrospectively.
“This judgment has a retrospective effect, and we believe teachers appointed before the RTE Act should not be compelled to take the TET,” Rymbui said.
According to government estimates, the ruling could impact over 32,000 teachers across Meghalaya, who would be required to qualify in the TET within two years to retain their positions.
However, those who have already cleared the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET) will not need to appear again, the minister clarified.
The Meghalaya SSA Schools’ Association has already approached the apex court with a separate review petition filed on October 25, challenging the same order.
The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that teachers with less than five years of service left would be exempted, though they would not be eligible for promotion.
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The order, however, would continue to apply retrospectively and excludes minority institutions, with certain aspects referred to a constitutional bench for examination.
Rymbui also said the state government remains committed to restructuring the education system by categorising schools into only two groups — government or aided institutions, and private schools — to ensure uniformity.
Discussions are also underway to introduce a structured pay system for teachers, with a framework expected by December, he added.
