YSRCP Seeks TET Exemption for Senior In-Service Teachers

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has urged the Centre to exempt senior in-service teachers from the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), arguing that educators with decades of teaching experience should not be forced to undergo the examination at an advanced age.

A YSRCP delegation met Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on Thursday and submitted a representation seeking necessary steps to provide relief to senior teachers. The party also called for amendments to the Right to Education (RTE) Act to address the issue.

The delegation included YSRCP MPs Golla Babu Rao, PV Mithun Reddy, YS Avinash Reddy and Maddila Gurumoorthy, along with teacher MLCs MV Ramachandra Reddy, Parvatha Reddy Chandrasekhar Reddy and Kalpalathareddy, among others.

The party argued that teachers appointed before 2011, many of whom have completed 20 to 30 years of service, should not be compelled to take TET after crossing 50 years of age.

YSRCP leaders also urged the Centre to seek a review of the Supreme Court ruling that made TET qualification mandatory for teachers covered by the applicable provisions. They claimed that around one lakh teachers in Andhra Pradesh and several lakh teachers across the country could be affected by the requirement.

The delegation also raised concerns over the proposed online examination format. It argued that requiring senior teachers to answer questions across multiple subjects, rather than being assessed primarily in the subjects they teach, would be unfair.

If TET cannot be waived, the party demanded that the examination be conducted offline and restricted to the teacher's relevant teaching subject.

YSRCP leaders questioned why the Andhra Pradesh government had not filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on the TET requirement. They also asked why the NDA government had not amended Section 23 of the RTE Act to provide relief to experienced in-service teachers.

Although teachers have time until August 31, 2028 to obtain TET qualification, the party alleged that uncertainty over the requirement was creating anxiety among teachers over their jobs and promotions.

The YSRCP called for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution seeking exemption for senior in-service teachers. It also said the issue would be raised in Parliament and that the party could introduce a Private Member's Bill if necessary.

The party said it would continue its legal and legislative efforts to protect the interests of in-service teachers and seek a solution to the TET requirement.