Shillong, August 26: The Meghalaya Schools Welfare Development Association–Central Body (MSWDA-CB) has sought the intervention of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to resolve the long-pending grievances of in-service teachers concerning the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) programme conducted through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
In a memorandum dated August 25, 2026, addressed to the Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, and the Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department, Government of Meghalaya, the association said the grievances primarily concern the 2013–15 and 2015–17 batches, which were conducted in offline mode as deputed by the government, and the 2017–19 batch, conducted online.
The association said several discrepancies relating to examination results, marks, attendance records, mark sheets and certificates have remained unresolved despite repeated representations to the authorities over several years. The matter was also discussed with the Meghalaya Education Department at a meeting held on August 19, 2026, following which the association was advised to pursue the issue with the Ministry of Education for appropriate intervention.
Among the major grievances highlighted by the association are cases where candidates who appeared for theory examinations were allegedly recorded as “Absent”. It also cited instances where the same candidate was shown as having passed a subject in one mark sheet but failed in another.
The association further alleged that internal assessment and practical marks were not properly reflected in some final results and that marks remained unchanged in certain cases even after candidates appeared for the same subject multiple times.
Another major concern relates to optional subjects under Codes 509 and 510, where some candidates who appeared for examinations were subsequently marked absent in either the theory examination or Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA). The association said an NIOS official had earlier indicated that the discrepancy appeared to have resulted from “contra entries” in the records.
The MSWDA-CB also raised concerns over the non-receipt or incomplete receipt of original academic documents. According to the memorandum, some candidates have received certificates without mark sheets, while others have received mark sheets without certificates, with some still awaiting both documents.
The association said it has pursued the matter with the Meghalaya Government and NIOS through several representations since 2019. It also submitted memoranda to successive Education Ministers and the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, while the Education Department forwarded the matter to the NIOS Regional Centre, Guwahati, in December 2025.
The association stated that details and supporting documents concerning affected candidates had been submitted to NIOS Headquarters, Noida, and the NIOS Regional Centre, Guwahati, in February 2026. It has now submitted an updated list of affected candidates along with supporting documents for verification and necessary action.
The MSWDA-CB has appealed to the Ministry of Education to intervene with the competent authority of NIOS and ensure that the grievances are examined comprehensively and resolved in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner. It has also sought rectification of genuine discrepancies, issuance of pending mark sheets and certificates, and protection of affected teachers from adverse consequences in their service or career progression due to administrative errors beyond their control.
