MPCC Opposes Transfer of Teacher Recruitment to SEMAM, Demands Withdrawal of Education Department Letter
Shillong, September 2: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) General Secretary Manuel Badwar has strongly criticised the MDA Government’s policy on teacher recruitment, alleging that the proposed transfer of recruitment to the State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya (SEMAM) could create job insecurity and further weaken the State’s education system.
“Bombs or bullets are not required to destroy a community. Simply weaken its education system, and the community will eventually perish on its own,” Badwar said while addressing the media at Congress Bhavan.
Badwar alleged that the State Government was attempting to evade its responsibility by transferring teacher recruitment to SEMAM. He warned that the move could discourage qualified young people from entering the teaching profession and create uncertainty over recruitment, salaries and job security.
Referring to a letter issued by the Education Department on August 9, Badwar claimed that future teacher recruitment would be undertaken through SEMAM and would depend on the “availability of funds.”
The MPCC has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the letter, arguing that the recruitment and payment of teachers should not be made conditional on the availability of funds.
“Education is not a responsibility that the Government should discharge only when funds are available. It is among its most important obligations because education determines the future of the State and its people. The Government must mobilise adequate resources and accord education the highest priority,” Badwar said.
He maintained that Meghalaya receives substantial financial resources through tax devolution, grants-in-aid, loans and other sources, and argued that a shortage of funds could not be accepted as a justification for restricting teacher recruitment.
Badwar also expressed concern that uncertainty surrounding recruitment, salaries and job security could discourage qualified youth from pursuing teaching as a career. He warned that teachers with the same qualifications and responsibilities could potentially receive different salaries, leading to pay disparities and affecting morale.
Referring to Meghalaya’s performance in the Performance Grading Index (PGI), Badwar said the State was already facing challenges including declining learning outcomes, teacher shortages and inadequate school infrastructure.
He argued that shifting teacher recruitment to SEMAM would not resolve these problems and could instead aggravate the existing challenges in the education sector.
The MPCC alleged that the policy reflected the MDA Government’s lack of commitment to addressing the education crisis. The party maintained that education should not be treated like a commercial enterprise but as a critical investment in the future of Meghalaya and its people.
Badwar further criticised the Government for introducing a policy with State-wide implications without detailed discussion in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. He pointed out that the Education Department’s letter was reportedly issued shortly before the recently concluded Autumn Session.
“This issue concerns the future of the State and generations to come. Every legislator should have been given an opportunity to debate it thoroughly. Bypassing the Assembly and adopting a shortcut is unacceptable,” he said.
He also criticised the Government for limiting the duration of Assembly sessions, arguing that shorter sittings leave legislators with insufficient time to deliberate on important public issues.
The MPCC has demanded longer Assembly sessions and meaningful legislative discussions on policies concerning education, teachers and the future of Meghalaya’s indigenous communities.
