Four lakh aspirants vie for 700 govt teaching posts

While lakhs prepare for the approaching Teacher Eligibility Test, the education department warns that there are only 700 posts available in government-run primary schools, and most will have to apply to private schools

It's going to be a close run for the lakhs of teaching aspirants across the state, as they compete for a mere 700 vacant posts in government-run primary schools across the state. On December 14, as many as four lakh people will appear for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), a mandatory requirement for teachers in government and private schools, as per the Right to Education Act.

This is the second TET the state will witness, but the education department added a word of caution - "Though there are a total of 2,000 vacant posts of primary teachers in government schools, out of them, 1,355 appointments have already been pending for the last couple of years. Once those are settled, hardly 700 vacancies will remain," said Mahaveer Mane, state education director (primary).

He added, "One should understand that TET is not the entrance test to secure a government job but is a mandatory norm to qualify as primary teacher anywhere. Though there are few vacancies in government schools, candidates who crack the exam can also apply to private schools who are also required to hire teachers who pass the exam."

According to Rajendra Godhane, deputy director of education (Pune), the exam will take place in two phases - the first will be for candidates applying for posts from Stds I to V, and the second for those looking for posts from Stds VI to VIII.

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