2012 TET Certificate: Following a directive from the Supreme Court, significant anxiety has spread among currently employed teachers who passed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in 2012. In response to this situation, the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) is considering a crucial step. The board has started contemplating the issuance of certificates to the 2012 TET qualifiers, something that was not done at the time. The primary objective of this move is to alleviate the concerns of these working teachers.
WBBPE President, Goutam Pal, addressed the matter, stating that the board does not want working teachers to face any trouble. He said, “We will indeed issue the certificates. But before that, we will thoroughly review the rules and regulations of that time, understand why certificates were not issued then, and consult with legal experts. We will make a final decision after carefully examining all these aspects.” His statement clarifies that the board is approaching the issue with caution and intends to make a final decision only after scrutinizing the legal angles.
Why weren’t the 2012 certificates issued?
Many might wonder why the candidates who qualified in 2012 did not receive a certificate. The main reason is that the practice of issuing TET pass certificates was not in place back then. According to board sources, the decision to provide TET pass certificates for primary teachers was taken later.
- Start of Certificate Issuance: The WBBPE began issuing certificates to TET qualifiers from 2015 onwards.
- Change in Rules: The concept of issuing certificates emerged after the rule was established that TET qualification would be valid for a specific period, which is currently three years.
- Recruitment Concept: At that time, the understanding was that passing TET was merely a qualifying test and did not guarantee a job.
Teachers’ Anxiety and the Board’s Action
The anxiety among working teachers primarily grew after the Supreme Court’s directive. A board official confirmed that they have been receiving numerous calls from working teachers inquiring about the certificate. The board acknowledges that their concerns are justified.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the board has begun to review old records. The examination procedure and recruitment rules of 2012 will be examined in detail. It is noteworthy that TET was made mandatory for primary teacher recruitment across the country after the implementation of the Right to Education Act. The first TET for government-sponsored and aided primary schools in West Bengal was conducted in 2012, with approximately 12 lakh candidates applying. This new initiative by the board has brought a sigh of relief to thousands of teachers.
