Govt unveils new MPO policy with sweeping structural changes

The government has published the Non-government Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2025, introducing significant changes to staffing rules and eligibility criteria for private schools and colleges.

The policy was released on Sunday evening, December 7, through a notification issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education.

One of the major changes is the abolition of the ‘Senior Lecturer’ post in higher secondary schools and colleges. The policy also revises qualifications for key positions, including principals of higher secondary schools and head teachers of secondary schools.

Under the new rules, teachers with 13 years of experience, including at least two years as head teacher, or those with 15 years of experience including service as assistant head teacher, will be eligible to apply for principal positions in higher secondary institutions.

The policy also tightens attendance-related conditions for MPO benefits. Any teacher absent 60 days or more without permission will be deemed ineligible for MPO enlistment. After 60 days, the post must be declared vacant and recruitment initiated as per regulations.

The new manpower structure also sets minimum student requirements for opening departments in private colleges:

Humanities and Business Studies (Class XI): Minimum 35 students per department

Science (new branch): Minimum 25 students

Humanities and Business Studies (district level): Minimum 30 students

Science (district level): Minimum 20 students

The revised policy aims to streamline staffing, strengthen institutional management, and ensure quality standards across private educational institutions.