Minister’s plan to recruit 2018 TET batch triggers row

There are nearly one lakh candidates who cleared the test between 2013 and 2017 and have registered for teaching jobs in government and aided schools.

"More than 13,000 candidates were also on the provisional waiting list," said a senior Tamil Nadu Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) official.

M Elangovan, State convener, Tamil Nadu 2013 TET Cleared Teachers’ Welfare Association, said the Minister's announcement on appointing candidates from 2018 batch triggered controversy as it would deprive the rights of several thousand qualified teaching aspirants, who have been waiting to get jobs in government and aided schools. He also questioned the basis on which the announcement was made when TET was not conducted in 2018.

"We were happy with the recent announcement that TET certificate will be valid for lifetime. The government had also given oral assurance that recruitment will soon begin based on seniority.

However, appointing candidates from junior batch is against the law, which will affect the livelihood of teaching aspirants from senior batches," he said.

He said his association would try to meet Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and and give its representation to resolve the issue. "If our request is not fulfilled, we will move the court to get justice," said Elangovan.

"Our members are also planning to stage protest demonstrations across all the State demanding the withdrawal of the plan," he added.

Tamil Nadu Teachers Association president PK Ilamaran said any appointment to government jobs should be done on the basis of qualification and seniority. "In this case, aspirants from 2013 batch should be appointed on the basis of seniority list as they have been on the waitlist for eight years," he said.