TET mandate for in-service teachers of Maharashtra’s Ashram Shala schools sparks controversy

A circular issued by Maharashtra’s Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department implementing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandate for in-service teachers in Ashram Shalas—residential schools for children from backward communities—has sparked a controversy and a debate on the state’s stance on the retrospective implementation of the rule.

The circular states that all in-service teachers from Classes 1 to 8 who have not passed TET will have to clear the test in the next two years or accept compulsory retirement. Referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling in this regard, the circular notes that this is applicable to teachers having more than five years of service left. Those with less than five years of service can continue without TET as long as they are not seeking promotion.

The move