Chennai, August 25: The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a significant proposal on Tuesday, urging the central government to exempt teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, from the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
School Education Minister A. Rajamohan introduced the proposal in the house, stating that the enforcement of the TET has created uncertainty for thousands of currently employed teachers.
The proposal emphasizes that teachers appointed before the specified cut-off date should be completely exempt from taking and passing the eligibility exam. It also calls for necessary amendments to the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act to provide legal protection for the affected teachers.
According to A. Rajamohan, approximately 328,000 teachers are impacted by the TET mandate, many of whom were recruited under regulations that existed before the TET system was implemented. He argued that imposing new eligibility criteria on teachers who have already served through a valid recruitment process is unjust.
He highlighted that the mandatory exam has raised concerns among long-serving teachers regarding job security, promotions, and retirement benefits.
Rajamohan reiterated the state government’s commitment to safeguarding teachers’ interests while maintaining educational standards. He emphasized that amending central laws is essential for a lasting solution, as administrative measures by the state government alone cannot adequately address the legal issues related to TET.
The proposal received support from all political parties, including DMK, AIADMK, PMK, the Communist Party of India, the Marxist Communist Party, and Congress members.
During discussions, members expressed that teachers who have served for many years should not be compelled to pass an exam that was not mandatory at the time of their recruitment. They urged the central government to consider the experience and service records of these teachers and resolve the issue promptly.
Following the debate, Speaker JCT Prabhakar conducted a voice vote on the special proposal and announced its unanimous passage. The proposal will now be sent to the central government, requesting amendments to the RTE Act and full exemption from TET for all teachers appointed before August 23, 2010.
Leave a Comment