Tamil Nadu Assembly Seeks Permanent TET Exemption for Teachers Appointed Before August 23, 2010
New Delhi. : Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Centre to provide a full and permanent exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to government school teachers appointed before August 23, 2010.
The resolution was moved by School Education Minister A Rajmohan and seeks relief for teachers who were appointed before the TET requirement came into effect under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Over 3.28 Lakh Teachers Could Be Affected
While moving the resolution, Rajmohan said around 3,28,701 government school teachers in Tamil Nadu could be affected by the TET requirement.
According to the minister, many of these teachers have completed 15 to 20 years of uninterrupted service. Requiring them to qualify for TET could, he said, affect their service benefits, promotions and, in some cases, job security.
The resolution seeks to protect the existing service benefits of these teachers, including their eligibility for promotions.
Tamil Nadu Seeks Amendment to RTE Act
The Assembly has urged the Union government to amend Section 23 of the RTE Act, 2009, to provide the proposed exemption.
It has also called for appropriate guidelines to be issued through the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to implement the exemption for teachers appointed before August 23, 2010.
The state has argued that teachers who entered government service before the TET requirement should not be subjected to the same qualification condition retrospectively.
Supreme Court Ruling Cited in Assembly
Rajmohan referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling while explaining the government's position.
He said the ruling requires serving teachers to qualify in TET for certain purposes, including promotion, and that the requirement could have implications for teachers who have already spent many years in service.
The minister argued that requiring experienced teachers to take the examination could affect their career progression and job security.
Parties Support Resolution
The resolution received support from members of several political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, CPI, CPI(M) and PMK.
Former state minister and DMK member E V Velu also supported the demand for a change at the Central level. He noted that the issue would have been different if education had been included in the State List.
The resolution was subsequently passed by voice vote.
What the Resolution Seeks
The Tamil Nadu Assembly has essentially called for:
- Full and permanent TET exemption for government school teachers appointed before August 23, 2010.
- An amendment to Section 23 of the RTE Act, 2009.
- Appropriate guidelines from NCTE to implement the exemption.
- Protection of existing service benefits and promotions.
- Protection of teachers from adverse employment consequences arising from the TET requirement.
The resolution will now serve as the state's formal request to the Union government for changes to the existing framework.
Key Points
- State: Tamil Nadu
- Decision: Assembly passed a resolution seeking TET exemption
- Teachers covered: Government school teachers appointed before August 23, 2010
- Teachers potentially affected: Around 3.28 lakh
- Demand: Full and permanent TET exemption
- Proposed change: Amendment to Section 23 of the RTE Act
- Agency mentioned: NCTE
- Status: Resolution passed by voice vote
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