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

Even the West Bengal teachers have now raised their voices against the recent Supreme Court TET mandate for in-service teachers, urging the state government to file a review petition against the order and safeguard the jobs of teachers.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, state chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and state education minister Bratya Basu, the Shikshanuragi Oikko Moncho sought appropriate steps in view of the “uncertainty” created by SC's TET ruling.

The teachers’ association argued that making the teachers, who have already cleared tests to achieve the position, undergo fresh exams will lead to deterioration of privatisation of the education system.

“Why should teachers, who had already cleared tough examinations and obtained BEd/PTT training even before the implementation of the Right to Education Act, be required to undergo fresh tests to retain their jobs? If necessary, separate workshops and training programmes may be arranged for them. Otherwise, the public education system will fall into a deeper crisis, paving the way for the rapid expansion of education privatisation,” the Education Enthusiasts’ United Forum remarked.

Also read Delhi school teachers call Supreme Court’s CTET mandate ‘arbitrary’; demand review petition

Teachers recall RTE provisions

Highlighting that the SC order has left the teaching community distressed, the teachers’ body said that re-exam is a gross injustice to the teachers, as it disregards their qualifications and years of dedicated service.

In a separate letter to PM Modi, the Shikshanuragi United Association brought his attention to the fact that the provision of the Right to Education (RTE) Act does not allow any changes to the rules beyond three years and questioned how SC amended the bill. The association complained that despite 16 years of enactment of the RTE, the provisions have not been properly implemented till date.

Also read ‘Cruelty, not reform’: Supreme Court’s TET ruling will hit 98 lakh, senior teachers hardest, says union

“According to the 2017 amendment of the RTE Act, the Supreme Court has ruled that all teachers must pass the TET within two years, failing which they may face termination. However, the 2012 amendment of the RTE Act stated that the government may modify rules within three years; beyond that period, no changes can be made. Therefore, how was the 2017 amendment made in disregard of the 2012 provision, and on what legal basis has the Supreme Court issued such a major directive?,” SUA asked.

Demanding an intervention, the teachers' association sought withdrawal of the directive requiring teachers to retake the exam for job retention, provision of alternative workshops, strict enforcement of RTI provisions related to teacher recruitment.