In response to allegations of misconduct in the recruitment of pre-primary teachers and the posting of contract teachers at DMCTE, officials from the Education (S) and Education (U) on Sunday defended the relaxations in qualification.
Addressing a press conference Director of Education (S) L Nandakumar clarified that the notification for the recruitment of pre-primary teachers stipulated that if there were insufficient candidates with a diploma in pre-school education from an NCTE recognised institution, candidates with relaxed qualifications might be considered.
Highlighting a lack of NCTE recognised institutes offering a diploma in Pre-School Education in Manipur and the entire Northeast region, Nandakumar defended the provision for the relaxation of qualifications.
He emphasised that the engagement of 1,140 pre-primary teachers was financially supported by both the Centre and the State at a 90:10 ratio and stated that if these teachers were not engaged, the funds allocated for their remuneration would lapse.
Nandakumar further stated that the maximum portion of the remuneration fund already released to the State would have to be returned to the central government and stressed the urgency of recruiting teachers for Pre-Primary schools to prevent the funds from lapsing.
This initiative, he added, would not only safeguard the released funds but also provide employment opportunities for 1140 youths in the state.
Addressing the allegations related to the utilisation of newly engaged contract teachers at DMCTE, assistant director of Education (U), P Shatikumar provided additional insights.
Shatikumar revealed that DMCTE currently has 400 students enrolled in B.Ed and M.Ed courses but only one teacher is available to teach the Education subject.
To address this acute shortage, Shatikumar disclosed that two newly engaged contract Assistant Professors, recruited in 2021 with results declared in February 2024, were assigned for utilisation (not posting) at DMCTE.
He clarified that these two contract teachers possess both M.Ed and B.Ed qualifications, along with UGC qualifications.
The additional director also highlighted other subject areas facing teacher shortages at DMCTE.
He noted that there are 110 students in the English subject with only one teacher and four students in the Manipuri subject without any teaching staff.
To cater to the students’ interests, one teacher each was temporarily assigned to the English and Manipuri subjects until the vacant posts are filled through direct recruitment, he added.
He informed that with the MPSC becoming functional with the appointment of a new chairman on March 15, a proposal would be submitted to the MPSC for the direct recruitment of Assistant Professors at DMCTE.
This recruitment process, he assured, would adhere to both NCTE and UGC norms.
