look news india
The latest results of Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UPTET) have created a new stir for thousands of teachers posted in the Basic Education Department and council schools in Uttar Pradesh. While more than 13 lakh new candidates have achieved success in the results released by Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission, about 62,028 working teachers already serving in primary and upper primary schools of the state have failed to clear this eligibility test.
As soon as this result came out, a serious question has arisen among teachers organizations, Shiksha Mitras and government teachers whether after failing in the examination, the jobs of these teachers are in immediate danger or whether they are going to get any relief from the government and the court.
According to the data, a total of 2,68,799 working teachers took part in the UPTET examination this time. Of these, 2,06,771 teachers were successful in clearing the exam, while 62,028 teachers failed to achieve the minimum cut-off marks.
At the primary level (classes 1 to 5), 1,22,405 working teachers appeared for the examination, out of which 93,387 teachers passed the examination. Talking about the upper primary level (class 6 to 8), 1,46,394 working teachers appeared in the examination, out of which only 1,13,384 teachers were declared successful. Although the total pass percentage was around 76 to 77 percent, the number of 62 thousand teachers who failed has become a big administrative and policy issue in itself.
The biggest fear in the minds of working teachers who have failed in UPTET is about termination of service. However, as per legal and administrative rules, there is no possibility of these teachers losing their jobs immediately.
The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for teachers serving under the Right to Education (RTE) Act to pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), but has also provided a fixed time limit for it. Working teachers have ample opportunities to gain eligibility under the guidelines of the apex court. Teachers who have more than five years of service left have been given a certain amount of time to attain eligibility, while separate rules for retirement and promotion have been set for teachers with less time left. Therefore, failure in the first attempt does not mean that the teachers will be directly relieved.
In view of the stress of teachers and the pressure of competition with general candidates, the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh has already taken an important policy decision. According to the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a blueprint is being prepared to conduct a separate and special eligibility test at the state level for the old teachers posted in the Basic Education Council.
The objective of this special examination is to provide a transparent and friendly platform to the working teachers to prove their eligibility, so that they do not have to face tough merit competition directly with the new and fresh candidates. The Education Services Selection Commission is working rapidly on the format and syllabus of this special examination, so that the failed teachers can get the next chance to prove their qualifications soon.
In front of 62 thousand teachers who failed in this examination, now the safest way is to mainly make use of the upcoming opportunities. Teachers organizations are also demanding from the government that special training sessions should be organized at the departmental level for these serving teachers, so that they can pass the upcoming eligibility test without any mental pressure.
Departmental experts clearly say that instead of panicking, teachers should focus on preparing for the next sessions of the proposed Special Teacher Eligibility Test or Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET/UPTET) in the coming time, so that they can make their service completely legally safe before the deadline ends.