Bhopal, April 4 (IANS) Amid escalating debate over the mandatory requirement of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) examination, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, seeking his attention to the grievances of over two lakh teachers currently serving in state government-run schools.​

In his letter addressed to CM Yadav, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh urged the state government to file a review or curative petition to ensure that the mandatory requirement of passing the TET is implemented with prospective effect rather than a retrospective one.​

Singh noted in his letter that the Right to Education Act was enacted by the Central government in 2009 and subsequently implemented in Madhya Pradesh on April 1, 2010.​

He mentioned that the Supreme Court has made it mandatory for all primary and secondary school teachers to pass the TET examination.​

“However, an exemption has been granted to teachers who have less than five years remaining until their retirement. Failure to pass this examination could potentially lead to the termination of service or forced retirement,” he stated.​

He further noted that, to comply with the Supreme Court’s order, Madhya Pradesh’s School Education Department last month issued an order making the TET examination mandatory for all teachers, tentatively scheduled for July-August 2026.​

“This notification has created anxiety among over two lakh teachers serving in government schools, including in tribal regions. In the event of failure, the livelihoods of thousands of teachers could be jeopardised, potentially plunging their families into financial crisis,” Singh wrote.​

He also pointed out that the affected teachers are preparing to file review petitions in the Supreme Court through their respective unions, a process that will impose an additional financial burden upon them.​

“The state government itself should present the teachers’ case in court. It would not only provide financial relief to the teachers, but also strengthen their trust in the government,” he stated.​

He further pointed out that, for the past 25 years, a merit-based recruitment process has been adopted in Madhya Pradesh through the Vyapam (Professional Examination Board).​

Digvijaya Singh noted that teachers have already acquired the necessary academic qualifications, such as a B.Ed.​

A significant point raised in the letter was that the “Supreme Court’s verdict pertained specifically to the State of Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh was not a party to that case. Despite this, the ruling was implemented in the state.”​

He further added: “This occurred even though Madhya Pradesh already has a rigorous examination system, akin to the TET, in place through the Professional Examination Board, which has historically served as the basis for appointing teachers across Categories 1, 2, and 3.”​

Singh concluded his letter by requesting the Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, to take immediate and necessary legal steps to safeguard the interests of lakhs of teachers across the state and to address the issue regarding the TET.​

–IANS

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