Shillong, May 18: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday (May 18) announced the postponement of the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), originally scheduled for May 29. The decision comes in response to appeals from a delegation of teachers facing conflicts due to mandatory national duties.
Speaking at a public programme in Damas, North Garo Hills, Chief Minister Sangma shared that teachers recently apprised him of their difficulties in preparing for the exam. Many are currently split between their classroom responsibilities and active assignments for the upcoming Census and SIR duties.
“The teachers are worried and in a dilemma, given their multiple concurrent assignments,” Sangma said.
“Considering their concerns, I would like to inform that the MTET examination stands postponed. Teachers need not worry. We will evaluate the overall situation and reschedule a proper, suitable date to ensure they have adequate preparation time.”
Quality of education desired
Beyond the immediate examination update, the chief minister utilised the platform to address the broader trajectory of Meghalaya’s education sector. He lauded the state’s educators for their resilience and dedication to the state’s children, particularly when navigating systemic hurdles like gaps in professional training.
While highlighting the government’s robust interventions and massive fiscal investments over recent years, which have significantly upgraded school infrastructure and expanded the sheer quantity of institutions, the chief minister candidly acknowledged that standards are still not up to the mark.
“In terms of quantity, we have enough schools, but we are lagging behind in quality,” Sangma said . “Raising the standard will take time, but we are fully committed to ensuring it happens. However, this transformation cannot rely solely on the government or the teachers. It requires an integrated ecosystem where parents and all stakeholders actively collaborate to uplift our students.”
