GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Even as the pen down, chalk down indefinite strike of the All Ad-hoc Teachers of Sikkim [AATS] enters the second day, along with the dharna in front of the District Administrative Centre, East the Principal Secretary, Human Resource Development Department [HRDD], Thomas Chandy, while speaking to NOW! today informed that it is very clear that the appointment of teachers would be done based on the Teachers Eligibility Test [TET], which is going to be conducted shortly by the department.
According to the Right To Education Act, 2009 it is mandatory for all teacher aspirants to pass the TET exam and the HRD Department will conduct the TET exams on 24 November, this year, he said and added that this was being done for the first time in Sikkim.
Education is on the concurrent list of the Indian Constitution and this is a Central Act which the State Government cannot surpass and so it becomes compulsory that the teachers sit for the TET exams and moreover it is the national norm that all regular teachers be trained [B Ed or Diploma in Elementary Education [DL] for primary teachers] by 2015, he stated.
“The quality of teachers and the students who pass out from these schools have to match the national level since many will also venture out to get better jobs, so if the regular teachers have to sit for the TET then the ad-hoc teachers teaching in these schools should also sit for the TET,” he said and added that then this becomes a requisite qualification for all teachers.
“Even the ad-hoc teachers should aim to become regular teachers and this they can attain by passing all the exams required. This is the reason why the department has brought TET this time around so that every teacher becomes a regular teacher”, said Mr Chandy.
There may be some ad-hoc teachers who may not measure up or have the required qualifications, for such cases the department will have to consult the state government and also see if other states are providing any relaxation, he stated.
Regarding the issue of reservation and other demands of the AATS, the department will look into what can be done during the selection process and take necessary action, he added.
According to the Right To Education Act, 2009 it is mandatory for all teacher aspirants to pass the TET exam and the HRD Department will conduct the TET exams on 24 November, this year, he said and added that this was being done for the first time in Sikkim.
Education is on the concurrent list of the Indian Constitution and this is a Central Act which the State Government cannot surpass and so it becomes compulsory that the teachers sit for the TET exams and moreover it is the national norm that all regular teachers be trained [B Ed or Diploma in Elementary Education [DL] for primary teachers] by 2015, he stated.
“The quality of teachers and the students who pass out from these schools have to match the national level since many will also venture out to get better jobs, so if the regular teachers have to sit for the TET then the ad-hoc teachers teaching in these schools should also sit for the TET,” he said and added that then this becomes a requisite qualification for all teachers.
“Even the ad-hoc teachers should aim to become regular teachers and this they can attain by passing all the exams required. This is the reason why the department has brought TET this time around so that every teacher becomes a regular teacher”, said Mr Chandy.
There may be some ad-hoc teachers who may not measure up or have the required qualifications, for such cases the department will have to consult the state government and also see if other states are providing any relaxation, he stated.
Regarding the issue of reservation and other demands of the AATS, the department will look into what can be done during the selection process and take necessary action, he added.
TET Background & Rationale
In accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has laid down the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in class I to VIII, vide its Notification dated August 23, 2010. A copy of the Notification is attached in the following. One of the essential qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in any of the schools referred to in clause (n) of section 2 of the RTE Act is that he/she should pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) which will be conducted by the appropriate Government.
The rationale for including the TET as a minimum qualification for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher is as under:
i. It would bring national standards and benchmark of teacher quality in the recruitment process.
ii. It would induce teacher education institutions and students from these institutions to further improve their performance standards.
iii. It would send a positive signal to all stakeholders that the Government lays special emphasis on teacher quality.
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