TET Mandatory: TET Now Compulsory for Teachers, What Steps is the State Taking Following the Supreme Court’s Order?

TET Mandatory: A new wave of discussion has started in West Bengal’s education sector. In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has made the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for currently employed teachers as well. This order has raised questions about the future of thousands of teachers in the state. This special report delves into the steps the state government and teacher organizations are planning to take in response.

What Exactly is the Supreme Court’s Order?

According to the latest information, the Supreme Court has ruled that all in-service teachers with more than five years of service remaining must pass the TET examination within the next two years. If a teacher fails to qualify for the TET within this period, they may face compulsory retirement. However, this rule will not apply to teachers with less than five years of service left. The main objective of this directive is to improve the quality of education nationwide and to ensure a minimum standard of qualification for teachers.

The Situation in West Bengal

It is feared that nearly 150,000 primary school teachers in West Bengal could be affected by this Supreme Court order. Many teachers, who have been dedicatedly teaching for years, are now concerned about their jobs due to this new rule. In this situation, various teacher associations in the state have united in protest.

• Teacher’s Union on the Path of a Review Petition: The All-Bengal Primary Teachers’ Association (ABPTA) has already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against this directive. According to them, it makes no sense to re-examine teachers who have already proven their competence through years of service.
• The Role of the State Government: The School Education Department has sent a proposal to Nabanna (the state secretariat) suggesting that a review petition be filed on this matter. Although the state government has not yet announced a final decision, it is believed that it may take action considering the pressure from the teaching community and the overall situation.

What is the Future for Teachers?

Currently, the state’s teachers are in a state of uncertainty, grappling with job insecurity on one hand and the pressure of preparing for a new exam on the other. Teacher organizations suggest that instead of the TET exam, special training workshops or refresher courses could be arranged for teachers. This would not only enhance their professional skills but also preserve their self-respect.

It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court accepts the review petition and what final decision the state government takes. However, one thing is clear: a major change is on the horizon for West Bengal’s education sector. We will keep a close watch on this issue and bring you the latest updates.