The recent Supreme Court mandate on Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers has triggered strong opposition from the teaching community in West Bengal. Several teachers’ associations, including the Shikshanuragi Oikko Moncho and the Shikshanuragi United Association (SUA), have raised concerns over the order, urging both the state and central governments to intervene and safeguard the jobs of teachers.
In letters addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and State Education Minister Bratya Basu, the associations have appealed for appropriate steps to address the “uncertainty” caused by the Supreme Court’s TET ruling.
Teachers Question Fresh Exams for Experienced Educators
According to the protesting bodies, requiring teachers who have already cleared recruitment examinations and undergone B.Ed or PTT training to appear for a fresh TET is unjust. The associations argue that this decision undermines years of experience, hard work, and professional qualifications of teachers appointed well before the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
The Education Enthusiasts’ United Forum noted, “Why should teachers, who had already cleared tough examinations and obtained BEd/PTT training even before the RTE Act, be required to undergo fresh tests to retain their jobs? If necessary, workshops and training programmes may be arranged. Otherwise, public education will fall into a deeper crisis, paving the way for the rapid privatisation of education.”
RTE Act Provisions Highlighted
The associations also recalled provisions of the Right to Education Act, pointing out that the Supreme Court’s directive contradicts earlier amendments. The SUA, in a separate letter to PM Modi, stated that the 2012 amendment of the RTE Act allowed modifications within only three years of enactment. However, the 2017 amendment mandated that all teachers must pass TET within two years or face termination.
The SUA questioned the legality of this amendment, remarking, “According to the 2012 provision, no changes were permissible beyond three years. How was the 2017 amendment passed in disregard of the earlier rule, and on what legal grounds has the Supreme Court issued such a directive?”
Teachers Demand Alternative Measures
Teachers have expressed fear that enforcing the SC TET mandate could destabilise the public education system and accelerate education privatisation in India. Instead of re-examinations, the associations have suggested the introduction of capacity-building workshops, refresher training, and skill development programmes for in-service teachers to upgrade their teaching quality without jeopardising their employment.
They further demanded:
- Withdrawal of the directive mandating fresh TET for in-service teachers.
- Strict implementation of RTE provisions for teacher recruitment and training.
- Government-led workshops and training as an alternative to re-examinations.
The West Bengal teachers’ protest against the Supreme Court TET mandate highlights the growing unrest among educators who see the order as a threat to their careers and the stability of public schooling. With letters sent to both central and state leadership, teachers’ associations are pressing for immediate review and corrective action.
As the debate continues, the issue has sparked national attention on the balance between teacher accountability and job security. The final decision will determine not only the future of thousands of in-service teachers but also the trajectory of public education in India.
