To engage in teaching work in government schools in Tamil Nadu, one must have passed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). In this, those who pass the first paper examination will be appointed as intermediate teachers and those who will succeed in the second paper examination will be appointed as graduate teachers. Three years after the last 2019, the ‘Ted’ second paper exam was held at the beginning of this month. The exam was conducted online from 3rd to 14th February. The first-ever online exam was welcomed by the candidates as it had various advantages.
Specifically, a ‘Response Sheet’ was provided to ensure that the question was answered. Thus, marks can be calculated based on the answer key issued by the examination board and evidence of wrong answer key can be given. 15 days before the exam, opportunity to practice online.
There were disadvantages as well as advantages. Candidates appearing for the same course in the same qualifying examination were given different question papers. Candidates alleged that this denied them equal opportunity.
Some of the TET candidates said, ‘The same question paper should have been given to the candidates for the same subject. As different badges were allowed to appear for the same subject, different question papers were issued. It is a denial of equal opportunity. Some are given easy question papers and some are given difficult questions. It is unfair. Therefore, GRACE should award marks to ensure equality of opportunity.
Further, it has been informed that the teaching job will be conducted by conducting the TET examination as the primary examination and the appointment examination as the primary examination. In case of appointment examination, 50 percent marks in TET examination should be declared as sufficient. In this regard, we have also lodged a complaint with the chief minister’s department.