Minister urges teachers not to be misled and prepare for MTET
Shillong, April 25: Education minister Lahkmen Rymbui has slammed VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit for “not seeing the truth” behind the government’s directive to teachers to clear Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET).
Condemning Basaiawmoit for his allegation of “harassment” on teachers by asking them to clear MTET, the minister said, “His statement is highly condemnable because he does not understand what the truth is. Before making such allegations, I feel he should first find out the reason behind such a decision.”
“However, Ardent, for some reason, sees everything through his ‘black glasses’ and through his dark lens, and that is why he does not see the truth,” Rymbui said.
He pointed out that TET is mandated under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and was upheld by a Supreme Court ruling on September 1, 2025.
“The ruling says ‘all teachers must pass the TET, irrespective of the length of service, except those with only 5 years of service left, who are exempted from taking the TET. However, they lose out on promotion,’” he said.
“So now, who is misleading, who is harassing?” Rymbui stressed that the government is bound by law.
“We must understand that we are governed by law and we have to follow the law… This law, this Supreme Court ruling, does not apply only in Meghalaya; it applies across India,” he said, adding that only minority institutions are exempt for now pending referral to a larger bench.
“Therefore, to say that the Government is harassing teachers by asking them to take the MTET is very wrong because the teachers clearly know this,” he said.
The minister said the state had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, as had other states and teachers’ bodies like the SSA Association.
Stating that the government understands the contribution of teachers, who have served for decades, he said a review petition was already filed, but as of now the Supreme Court’s ruling stands.
“Dear teachers… all must clear the TET by August 31, 2027, except those with only 5 years of service left,” Rymbui said.
To support in-service teachers, he said the government will hold the TET “at least twice, if possible three times, before August 31, 2027.”
He added that while TET rules require D.El.Ed and 45% in Class XII, “we said all in-service teachers qualify…they can apply and appear for the TET.”
The Education department, through DERT, is providing preparation support.
“We have also published a Guide/Help Book for those taking the TET, because we want all to pass. They have taught for so many years; where will they go if the Supreme Court does not change its ruling by August 31, 2027?” he said.
Rymbui said he had written to the Union Education Minister and the Chief Minister had taken up with the Centre the need to amend the RTE Act “to exempt long-serving teachers.”
“To say the government is harassing teachers is wrong. I request teachers not to be misled by such people who do not understand what the law says,” he said.
“Prepare yourselves. The government is with you. We will work together with all stakeholders.”
Responding to potential criticism of government publishing guide book, he said, “It is because of this that the minimum pass percentage has increased by 30%… we want all teachers to pass.”
Inviting constructive input, Rymbui said: “I invite the VPP: please suggest how to overcome this legal obstacle that exists now… Perhaps through your suggestions, we can overcome it….”
