Tamil Nadu files review petition against SC TET order affecting serving teachers

The Tamil Nadu Government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging its September 1 order mandating that all serving teachers clear the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) within two years to continue in service.

According to The New Indian Express , School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told reporters on Tuesday that the review petition challenges the apex court’s order and connected matters. He said retrospective enforcement would affect around 3.28 lakh teachers with more than five years of service and about 67,000 nearing retirement.

The SC order states that in-service teachers with less than five years of service remaining will have to qualify for TET to be eligible for promotion. Teachers failing to do so within the given time frame may be compulsorily retired, though terminal benefits would be provided if they have completed the qualifying service.

“If these experienced teachers are declared unqualified or forced to retire, classrooms across thousands of schools would remain vacant, jeopardising the education of millions of children,” Poyyamozhi said, according to The New Indian Express.

Also read ‘Insult to years of service’: West Bengal teachers oppose TET mandate, suggest alternate training

Government seeks exemption for pre-2010 appointees

The Minister further added that the state is considering introducing special legislation in the forthcoming Assembly session to protect teachers and prevent disruption in the school education system.

He referred to the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) notification dated August 23, 2010, which exempted teachers appointed before that date from the TET requirement, and said the Government has prayed that this exemption be upheld.

Poyyamozhi said that the Government has sought clarity that pre-2010 appointees should remain eligible for promotion, while the TET rule should apply prospectively only to new appointments and promotions after 2010.

As per The New Indian Express, the minister warned that enforcing the Supreme Court order without modification could create a shortage of nearly four lakh teachers, severely impacting the Right to Education for rural, hilly, and marginalised children dependent on Government schools.