Dehradun: Around 15,000 teachers in Uttarakhand may get relief as the state government is considering conducting a separate Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for serving teachers on the lines of Uttar Pradesh. Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat has directed officials to study the Uttar Pradesh model and prepare a proposal in this regard. The proposal will be submitted to the state government after examination by the concerned departments.
According to Digambar Singh Negi, a member of the provincial ad hoc committee of the State Primary Teachers’ Association, a delegation of teachers recently met Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat over the issue. Following the meeting, the minister directed Uttarakhand Board Secretary Vinod Dhoundiyal and Director of Elementary Education Kunwar Singh Rawat to study the arrangements in Uttar Pradesh and prepare a proposal for Uttarakhand. Teachers said the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) issued a notification on August 23, 2010, making TET mandatory for teachers appointed to teach Classes 1 to 8.
However, teachers appointed before the notification were recruited according to the service conditions applicable at the time. They argue that they fulfilled all the required qualifications when they were appointed.
Several of these teachers are now around 53 to 54 years old. They have expressed concern over being asked to clear TET at this stage of their careers.
Teachers have demanded either an exemption from the TET requirement or a separate examination designed specifically for serving teachers.
Uttarakhand Board Secretary Vinod Dhoundiyal said the education minister has directed officials to prepare a proposal for conducting a separate TET. The proposal will be sent to the government, and the examination can be conducted only after the government issues an order.
Teachers Concerned About TET at 53-54
Several serving teachers are worried about how they will prepare for and clear TET at this stage of their careers. Many are already between 53 and 54 years old.
Teachers fear that failure to qualify could affect their promotions and potentially put their jobs at risk.
Uttar Pradesh Conducting Special TET for Serving Teachers
Teachers have cited an order issued in Uttar Pradesh as a possible model for Uttarakhand.
According to the teachers, the Uttar Pradesh government decided to conduct a special Teacher Eligibility Test for serving teachers affected by a Supreme Court order. The decision reportedly covers 64,062 primary-level teachers and 76,256 upper-primary-level teachers.
Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said officials have been directed to study the Uttar Pradesh order and assess whether a similar arrangement can be implemented in Uttarakhand.
A meeting of teachers and officials has been scheduled for August 17 and 18 to discuss the issue.
The minister said the government would consider measures in the interest of teachers after examining the matter.
