The Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA) held a meeting with Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu on Monday at the minister’s conference hall, Janata Bhawan, Guwahati. The meeting centred on the recent Supreme Court verdict mandating that all teachers must qualify through the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) under the new recruitment policy. The ASPTA raised concerns regarding the challenges this poses to thousands of serving teachers who were recruited under the previous system.
I am writing about this because the issue has significant implications for primary education in Assam. The new recruitment policy, combined with the Supreme Court directive, has created uncertainty among teachers who have been serving for years without TET certification. The outcome of this discussion could shape the state’s approach to teacher recruitment and retention for years to come. It’s crucial to understand how such legal and administrative decisions affect not just educators but also the quality of education in rural and urban schools across Assam.
ASPTA Seeks Review of Supreme Court Verdict
During the meeting, the ASPTA delegation expressed their concern about the ambiguities arising from amendments to the Right to Education (RTE) Act and the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated the old recruitment policy. The association urged the state government to send a formal proposal to the Centre seeking a review or clarification of the verdict.
Representatives of the teachers’ body argued that thousands of teachers who had been recruited under the earlier system were now facing uncertainty regarding their job status. Many of them had been serving in rural and remote schools for years and were now being asked to qualify through TET to continue in their roles.
Minister Promises to Take Up Issue with Centre
Dr. Ranoj Pegu, responding to the association’s concerns, assured that the state government would take up the matter with the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He said the government is aware of the anxiety among teachers and will explore all possible measures to protect their interests while ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court’s order.
According to the minister, the state’s priority is to maintain both teacher quality and job security, balancing the intent of the RTE Act with the realities faced by long-serving educators. He also noted that the government will examine whether an amendment or policy clarification from the Centre can offer relief to affected teachers.
Background of the Issue
The controversy stems from the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which held that once a new recruitment policy mandating TET qualification is introduced, the previous policy automatically stands cancelled. This has created confusion regarding the status of teachers recruited under older norms who have not yet cleared the TET exam.
The ruling effectively means that all teachers, regardless of when they were appointed, must qualify the TET to continue teaching in state-run and government-aided schools. The ASPTA has pointed out that this requirement is particularly difficult for senior teachers who were hired before TET was made mandatory.
Teachers Demand Clarity and Fair Implementation
The ASPTA also requested the government to frame a clear transition policy for existing teachers, ensuring they are not penalised for past administrative changes. The association emphasised that many teachers have been contributing effectively to primary education but may face job insecurity due to technical non-compliance.
A senior ASPTA member said, “We are not against the TET system. But the sudden shift without adequate consideration for existing teachers will create distress and disrupt schooling, especially in rural areas.”
Teachers have also demanded that the government consider special exemptions or a relaxation period for those nearing retirement or for those who were recruited through official state selection processes before TET became mandatory.
State Government’s Stand
The Education Department of Assam has maintained that while TET qualification is essential to uphold teaching standards, the concerns of existing teachers will not be ignored. Officials hinted that the department may seek the Centre’s guidance to ensure that the Supreme Court directive is implemented fairly and without causing large-scale displacement of educators.
The department is also expected to review the implementation timeline for the TET policy, taking into account the number of teachers who may require requalification.
