Over six lakh candidates are expected to appear for the State government's first Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) scheduled to be held on June 3. With the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act that demands large-scale recruitment of teachers, the Teacher Recruitment Board, designated as the nodal agency, is gearing up to conduct the exam.
The exam is mandatory for secondary grade teachers and graduate assistants appointed for government, aided and unaided institutions on and after August 23, 2010, in accordance with the guidelines framed by the National Council for Teacher Education. Final year students of Diploma in Teacher Education (D.T.Ed) and Bachelor in Teacher Education (B.T.Ed.) are also eligible to apply for the test. Candidates must score at least 60 per cent in the test, as is mandated by the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). But recruitment of teachers in government and aided schools in the State will also be based on the prescribed minimum qualification and their seniority in the Teacher Recruitment Board. Teachers must pass the TET within five years and the score would be valid for a period of seven years.
An official said such huge numbers are expected to take the test as two lakh graduate teachers are already registered with the employment exchange. There are also a sizeable number of teachers working in Central government schools outside the State who would be keen to seek employment in the State. About 30,000 vacancies are waiting to be filled in for secondary grade teachers and graduate assistants' post, said the official.
Educationists, however, wonder if one more exam would ensure quality and committed teachers entering the professions. “Aren't we only adding to the anxiety levels of a teacher bringing in more exams? We need to find simpler ways of recruiting teachers,” says S.S. Rajagopalan, educationist.
The sale of applications will start from March 22 and April 4 will be the last day for submission. They will be sold at various educational district offices in the State.
