TET: 2,000 teachers in Maharashtra may be fired

A recently issued circular by the education department states that teachers who started work after 2013 will be retained in service only if they clear TET and will have to submit proof by March 30.

Close to 2,000 teachers working in government schools across Maharashtra are likely to lose their jobs from April 1 for failing to clear the teacher eligibility test (TET) within the stipulated time frame.

Close to 2,000 teachers working in government schools across Maharashtra are likely to lose their jobs from April 1 for failing to clear the teacher eligibility test (TET) within the stipulated time frame. Photo by Praful Gangurde (Hindustan Times)

A recently issued circular by the education department states that teachers who started work after 2013 will be retained in service only if they clear TET and will have to submit proof by March 30. “The government had accordingly given time for teachers who joined after 2013 to complete the eligibility requirement. Accordingly, those who have failed to pass the exam so far would be deemed ineligible for the post and the services of such teachers would be terminated,” the circular stated.

Teachers were allowed three consecutive attempts between 2016 and 2018 to complete their eligibility requirement.

Teachers’ groups in the city said there are around 2,000 across Maharashtra who are likely to be affected. Officials said most teachers from the city have already submitted their documents. “A few teachers are yet to get their certificates verified,” said a senior official from the state education department.

Shikshak Bharti, a registered organisation of teachers, has written to the education department, requesting teachers in service be allowed to continue irrespective of TET eligibility. “The government should consider they have been working for so many years and should not discontinue their services,” said Shivnath Darade, Mumbai secretary of the organisation.