Shillong, Aug 30: Education Minister, Rakkam A Sangma, on Friday informed the Assembly that the capacity intake of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Nongstoin cannot be increased as per National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms. He, however, assured that the government would soon take up with NCTE for permission and the Centre for financial support.

He was replying to a short duration discussion raised by UDP legislator from Mawkyrwat, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, who requested the need to increase the number of seats in DIET, Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills District.

Sangma said that as per the NCTE norms, the existing intake of 50 seats cannot be increased due to the fact that permission was granted for one unit only (50 seats) since inception.

“I am to state that with the current availability of resources and infrastructure at DIET Nongstoin, the intake capacity cannot be increased. However, the matter will be taken up with NCTE for permission and the Ministry of Education, Government of India for financial support,” he assured.

Further, the minister however informed that DIET Nongstoin has been identified by the Ministry of Education (MoE) under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as one of the DIETS – Centres of Excellence (CoE) for the year 2024 – 25 and with this recognition, DIET, Nongstoin will be upgraded in terms of infrastructure and other required facilities in terms of Civil Works, additional works etc.

He said with this proposed expansion, it will align with the CoE aspiration, addressing the infrastructure limitations, ensuring quality education with additional staffing, exploring the possibility of introducing the Four Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in order to meet the growing demand of qualified teachers in the Region.

Selection of candidates will be based on merit and allotment of seats will be Block-wise to facilitate availability of qualified and trained teachers locally.

He said that at least 30% of the seats are to be allotted to candidates having Science and Mathematics background at Class-XII level.

“At the DIET, Nongstoin the NCTE approved intake capacity is 50 and there are 6 Blocks. Hence 8 (eight) seats are allotted to students from each Block and the remaining 2 (two) seats is allotted to the candidate with the highest score and to PWD candidate,” Sangma said while adding that one of the essential/minimum qualification for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher for classes I to V as laid down by the NCTE is that, he / she should be class XII passed with Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) and Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET); whereas for classes VV to VIII, the minimum qualification is Graduate with Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) / Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) and Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET).

The minister further assured that the Government of Meghalaya under Education Department will be submitting the Detail Project Report (DPR) in respect of DIET Nongstoin to the Government of India through Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Meghalaya after obtaining clearance of submission from the Ministry of Education (MoE).

“Another milestone to this, I would like to inform that under the ADB Project, another classroom will be constructed at DIET, Nongstoin West Khasi Hills District, which will address the need and aspiration of the student teachers and the teacher educators. In light of the above facts, the Government will approach the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) for an additional intake after having met with the required norms laid down and prescribed by the same,” he added.

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