Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously backs TET relief for 3.28 lk teachers

Chennai,August 25(IANS)

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a special resolution urging the Union government to exempt teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, from the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).

School Education Minister Rajmohan moved the resolution, saying the compulsory examination requirement had affected nearly 3.28 lakh serving teachers across the State. He called for suitable amendments to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act to provide a complete exemption to teachers recruited before the stipulated date.

The minister said these teachers had been appointed in accordance with the qualifications and recruitment rules in force at the time. Imposing a new eligibility condition retrospectively would be unfair to those who had already completed several years of service, he added.

The TET requirement has caused considerable anxiety among affected teachers, particularly over their continued employment, promotions and retirement benefits. The State government maintained that their professional experience and years of service should be taken into account while determining their eligibility.

Rajmohan said the Union government’s intervention was essential because the legal issues surrounding the mandatory test could not be resolved permanently through administrative measures taken by the State alone. An amendment to the central legislation would provide lasting protection to teachers and end the uncertainty over their service conditions.

The resolution received support from all major political parties in the House. Members of the DMK, AIADMK, PMK, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress endorsed the government’s demand.

Members said teachers who were recruited before TET became compulsory should not be forced to clear the examination at this stage of their careers.

Speaker J.C.T. Prabhakar then put the resolution to a voice vote and declared it passed unanimously. The resolution will be forwarded to the Union government for further action.