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Tura, Jan 12, 2026: The A·chik State Peoples’ Front (ASPF), CEB HQ, Tura expresses its strongest opposition and unequivocal protest against the recent communication issued by the Education Department, on 2nd. of January 2026, which seeks to Centralize and appropriate the core Academic Powers of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE), under the Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT).

This move, though clothed in the language of “Clarification”, is nothing short of an administrative overreach and, if left unchecked, will sound the death knell of the statutory autonomy of MBOSE, an institution created by law and sustained by legislative intent. Statutory Sanctity of MBOSE, Cannot Be Undermined by Executive Fiat. The Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) Act, 1973, enacted by the Legislature, is a special statute that governs the establishment, powers, and functions of the MBOSE.

Under Section 12 of the MBOSE Act, 1973 is explicitly vested with powers to prescribe courses of instruction and Syllabi (Section 12 (i)), Prepare, publish and select textbooks and supplementary materials Section 12 (viii), Conduct examinations and maintain academic standards for school education in Meghalaya.

These powers are statutory in nature, not delegated benevolences that can be withdrawn or diluted by an Executive Memorandum. It is a settled principle of law that executive instructions cannot override or supplant legislative enactments. What the law grants, the executive cannot confiscate by circular.

The Violation of Constitutional and Administrative Law Principles. The impugned approach of the Commissioner Secretary, Education Department, violates,
an Article 162 of the Constitution of India, which restricts Executive Power to operate only within the bounds of existing law.

The doctrine of ultra vires, as the executive action seeks to traverse beyond statutory limits.The principle of separation of powers, by encroaching upon a legislatively created authority.

The rule that subordinate authorities cannot render a parent statute otiose. In legal parlance, this attempt amounts to placing the cart before the horse-allowing an administrative wing to dictate the fate of a statutory body.

The RTE Act, Cannot Be Used as a Trojan Horse.
While the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, designates an academic authority, it does not abrogate or extinguish the powers of existing State Boards created under State legislation.

The RTE Act, must be read harmoniously, not destructively, with the MBOSE Act, 1973. Any interpretation that renders Section 12 of the MBOSE Act, redundant is legally untenable and constitutionally suspect.

A Dangerous Precedent for Garo Hills and Regional Autonomy,
MBOSE, has historically been a cornerstone institution for the Garo Hills and other tribal regions, reflecting local realities, languages and pedagogical needs. Diluting its authority is akin to cutting the roots of a tree while expecting it to bear fruit.

The ASPF firmly believes that this move is not merely administrative but structural and political, aimed at bifurcating authority, fragmenting institutional strength and centralizing control, to the detriment of regional educational equity.

The A·chik State Peoples’ Front demands,
immediate withdrawal of any communication or policy that curtails or eclipses the statutory powers of MBOSE. Strict adherence to the Meghalaya Board of School Education Act, 1973, unless amended by the Legislature.

Meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including regional representatives, before any academic restructuring. Preservation of MBOSE as a full-fledged autonomous statutory body, not a ceremonial appendage. Law is not a wax nose to be twisted at will. Institutions born of legislation cannot be buried by memoranda.

ASPF warns that any continued attempt to undermine MBOSE, will be resisted both democratically and legally, using all constitutional means available. The government must remember that education thrives on autonomy, not authoritarianism, and governance must walk within the four corners of the law.