Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 18: Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has taken up the difficulties faced by in-service teachers in the Islands in obtaining the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification and urged the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to examine the feasibility of conducting the examination locally through the State Institute of Education (SIE).
In a communication to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Ray stated that, in view of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in-service teachers belonging to PSTs and GTTs who have not yet acquired the required TET qualification are required to obtain it within the stipulated period, reportedly by August 2028. He stressed the need for providing regular and accessible opportunities for teachers to qualify within this timeframe.
During his interaction with a delegation of in-service teachers, it was brought to his notice that teachers in the Islands largely depend on the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) conducted by CBSE. As the examination is held at limited intervals and centres are subject to availability, teachers from the Islands face difficulties in securing sufficient opportunities to qualify within the prescribed period.
Mr. Ray further noted that several States/UTs, including Uttar Pradesh, have facilitated TET examinations through authorised or recognised examining bodies, wherever permitted under the applicable rules and regulatory framework. Such arrangements provide additional opportunities to teachers and reduce dependence on a single national-level examination.
Pointing out that the Administration already has the State Institute of Education (SIE) as an established academic institution, the MP has requested that its suitability for conducting TET for eligible in-service teachers of the Islands be examined.
If found permissible and feasible, local conduct of TET through SIE would improve accessibility for teachers, particularly those posted in remote and geographically dispersed Islands. It would also reduce the need for travel to mainland examination centres and minimize disruption to their professional and family responsibilities.
Mr. Ray has therefore urged the Chief Secretary to examine the proposal on priority and, if found feasible, initiate necessary action for obtaining the required approvals and recognition from the competent statutory/regulatory authorities so that TET examinations can be conducted locally at appropriate intervals in accordance with national norms.
The MP has also forwarded the matter to the Minister of Education, Government of India, for kind information and necessary consideration.
