Editor,
I write this letter not just as a guest teacher under the Mukhya Mantri Shiksha Kosh Yojana (MMSKY), but as one among hundreds who stood firm when the education system of Arunachal Pradesh was going through one of its most difficult phases.
The APPSC fiasco of 2022 brought the recruitment process of PGTs and TGTs to a standstill. Even examinations that had already progressed to advanced stages were cancelled, leaving schools across the state without adequate subject teachers. Classrooms were left unattended, students were left uncertain, and the future of an entire generation seemed at risk.
It was during this critical time that MMSKY was introduced in August 2022 by the Government of Arunachal. Guest teachers were engaged not merely as a stop-gap arrangement, but as a lifeline to a struggling system.
Before the MMSKY, the situation was alarming. The Class 10 pass percentage in the academic session 2022-23 was just 39.72%, while that of Class 8 stood at 61.18%. These numbers reflected not a lack of potential among students, but a lack of support and guidance.
We stepped into that gap. With limited resources, meagre salaries, and no assurance of tomorrow, we entered classrooms every day with one purpose – to ensure that our students did not suffer for circumstances beyond their control. Many of us travelled to remote areas, worked in challenging environments, and taught overcrowded classes with unwavering commitment.
The results speak for themselves. The Class 10 pass percentage rose to 61.48% in the academic session 2025-26 – a remarkable improvement that reflects the collective effort of students and teachers alike. Behind this progress are countless untold stories of dedication, sacrifice, and silent perseverance.
Yet today, we stand at a crossroads. With the completion of PGT recruitment and the upcoming TGT 2026 recruitment, it may appear on paper that the shortage of teachers has been addressed. But the reality in our classrooms tells a different story – one that cannot be captured in files or statistics.
In many schools, especially in urban areas, a single teacher faces 90 to 100 students in one classroom. The recommended teacher-student ratio of 1:33 remains far from reality. Under such conditions, quality education becomes a challenge, and individual attention becomes nearly impossible.
If experienced guest teachers are removed at this stage, it will not only be a personal loss for us – it will be a setback for the entire education system. The progress we have collectively achieved risks being undone.
We are not asking for sympathy – we are asking for fairness.
Most MMSKY guest teachers are qualified, holding BEd degrees along with bachelor’s and master’s qualifications. Many have cleared APTET and CTET. We have proven our capability not through words, but through our work in classrooms.
What we seek is a structured and just approach. The government may consider framing clear standard operating procedures to retain deserving guest teachers, ensuring that qualified and experienced individuals are given priority. At the same time, a transparent system can ensure that only those who meet professional standards continue and those from engineering and other backgrounds who are not technically qualified for teaching are be filtered out.
Other states have shown the way. The Meghalaya government, for instance, has taken steps to provide job security and better remuneration to contingency teachers. Arunachal too can take a compassionate and practical decision.
For many of us, this journey has been deeply personal. We are not just teachers – we are parents, breadwinners, and individuals who have invested years of our lives in service. Today, many of us are nearing the upper age limit for government employment, with families depending on us, yet living with constant uncertainty.
We stood by the system when it needed us the most. Today, we hope the system will stand by us.
All we seek is recognition, dignity, and a fair chance to continue serving the students of our state.
Guest teacher,
MMSKY