Teachers’ unions seek relaxation in Special TET norms

Leaders of various teacher unions have urged the Andhra Pradesh government to lower the qualifying marks for in-service teachers appearing for the Special Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and conduct separate examinations for teachers in their respective subjects.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh United Teachers Federation (UTF) State president N. Venkateswarlu and general secretary K.S.S. Prasad demanded a reduced and common qualifying threshold for in-service teachers.

They said the Supreme Court judgment requiring teachers appointed before 2010 to qualify in TET to continue in service or secure promotions had created difficulties for thousands of teachers. Many of them were recruited through government examinations 25 to 30 years ago and had already put in long years of service, they said.

Under the existing system, general candidates have to secure 60%, or 90 marks out of 150, to qualify, with relaxation for BC, SC, ST and persons with disabilities. The UTF sought similar consideration for in-service teachers.

The federation also objected to the combined Mathematics and Science TET paper. It said the State had separate teachers for Mathematics, Physical Science and Biological Science, but they were being required to take a common examination. While teachers of Social Studies, Telugu, English and Hindi get 60 marks from their respective subjects, Mathematics and Science teachers get only 20 marks from their specialised subjects.

The UTF said the pattern put experienced teachers at a disadvantage, particularly those who might not be familiar with allied subjects, making it difficult for them to secure the required 90 marks.

The UTF leaders urged the government to seek the National Council for Teacher Education(NCTE)’s permission to modify the qualifying criteria and examination pattern. They also wanted the State to take up the issue with the Centre and seek an amendment to Section 23(1) of the Right to Education Act to exempt teachers appointed before 2010 from the TET requirement.

Alleging that the government was merely citing the Supreme Court judgment without taking effective steps, they said the issue affected thousands of teachers and their families. They announced “Chalo Vijayawada” on September 3 and warned of an intensified agitation if their demands were not addressed.

The Andhra Pradesh Teachers Federation (APTF) has also opposed the guidelines issued for the Special TET, saying that the exemptions and relaxations sought by it had not been incorporated.

Teachers’ MLC Borra Gopi Murthy too opposed the Special TET in its present form, saying it placed an unfair burden on experienced in-service teachers, particularly those appointed before 2011. Teachers with 20 to 25 years of service and those in their 50s would find it difficult to prepare for a competitive examination while attending to their professional and family responsibilities, he said.