Raipur: There is welcome news for departmental teachers in Chhattisgarh. The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in the state will now be conducted in both online and offline formats. Education Minister Gajendra Yadav, while sharing this information, stated that the job security of teachers is a priority for the government. The decision to provide both options for the examination was made after considering the practical challenges faced by teachers.
Preparations for the Exam Following Supreme Court Directives
In accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court, it is mandatory for teachers to pass the TET, with the exception of those who have less than five years of service remaining. Keeping this in mind, the state government has initiated the process of conducting the examination for departmental teachers through the Staff Selection Board (Karmachari Chayan Mandal).
Both Online and Offline Options to be Available
On Friday, around 11:00 AM, a delegation from the Chhattisgarh Teachers Association met with Education Minister Gajendra Yadav at the Circuit House in Jagdalpur. The Minister was in Jagdalpur in connection with the President’s visit to the Bastar region. During the meeting, the delegation presented their concerns regarding the TET examination pattern.
Addressing the association’s demands, the Minister clarified that the examination for departmental teachers would be conducted in both online and offline formats. This will allow teachers to choose the mode of examination that best suits their convenience.
Demand Raised for OMR-based Offline Examination
The Chhattisgarh Teachers Association highlighted the technical and practical challenges associated with online examinations. According to the association, issues such as network instability, server outages, or computer system failures could create significant difficulties for candidates during the test.
For teachers posted in remote areas like Bastar, taking an online exam can be particularly challenging. Furthermore, for older teachers who may be less comfortable with technology, an offline, OMR-sheet-based examination is considered a more convenient and practical alternative.
Discussion on Other Issues Concerning Teachers
During the meeting with the Minister, the delegation also discussed other departmental issues, including the shortage of teachers and matters related to promotions. The delegation included the association’s divisional president Praveen Srivastava, district president Ludarson Kashyap, and other members, namely Rajesh Gupta, Mohammad Tahir Sheikh, Tuladas Manikpuri, Gajraj Singh, Ramprasad Thakur, Omprakash Patel, and Manish Thakur.
The announcement to conduct the TET in both online and offline modes is expected to provide relief to the state’s departmental teachers regarding the examination process and their preparation for it.
