GUWAHATI: Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualified candidates have urged the Assam government to make at least 8000 teachers posts available for employment.
The All Assam High School TET Qualified Candidates’ Union has submitted memorandums to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, highlighting the fact that qualified candidates will miss the maximum eligible age if their request is not considered with urgency.
The Secondary TET examination in Assam was held on January 19, 2020 and results were announced on March 4, 2020. Of the 35,814 candidates who appeared for the exam, 12,032 candidates qualified. Subsequently, on September 11, the Secondary Education Department advertised for the opening of 5746 teacher posts, but only 4190 were appointed on February 5.
The Union pointed out that the number of teachers appointed was substantially less compared to the actual number of qualified candidates. As such about 7842 were left unemployed. On the basis of that, the candidates have urged the Assam Government to make the provision of at least 8000 more posts available to accommodate all the eligible teachers.
"The marks secured by candidates of the older batches are relatively less compared to the newer or younger ones. This has proven difficult for the older ones to compete with the latter despite clearing the TET exams. Also many of them are on the verge of attaining or crossing the maximum eligible age if they are not appointed at the earliest. Already many have missed their chances." the Union wrote, while stating the issue.
"If there were sufficient posts available, this problem would not have affected them. It is true that a huge number of posts of assistant teachers in secondary schools are still vacant. " the memorandum read.
They further added that the State government should ensure equal opportunities for all candidates advertising for the posts, irrespective of their caste. The previously published advertisements were reportedly mostly for posts reserved for the SCs and STs, and a bare minimum for the rest. Also, advertisements for higher secondary, high school, middle school and lower primary should be published separately in a descending manner.
“Most candidates usually qualify for more than one TET exams like secondary, high school level, etc. When all posts are advertised together,candidates tend to apply for all but join in only one. The remaining seats are thus blocked. This also happens when candidates choose not to accept appointments that are offered to them at a district not to their choice." secretary of the Union, Mujakkir Hussain said.
"In the last appointment process over 700 seats were blocked, which could have been filled by others. We request the government to overcome these anomalies and start the process of making ‘waiting lists’ so that deserving candidates are not missed out." he added.
Representatives of the High School TET Qualified Candidates' Union have met with the Chief Minister and Education Minister recently and submitted the memorandum. Although they were assured that necessary steps would to be taken in this regard, the representatives are still unsure as they have already submitted around 11 memorandum without any desired results.