CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu assembly on Tuesday unanimously urged the BJP government at the Centre to permanently exempt teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), citing their long years of service and job security.Moving a government resolution, School Education Minister Rajmohan said teachers appointed under the rules and qualifications in force before August 23, 2010, should be given a complete and permanent exemption from TET.The assembly urged the BJP government at the Centre to amend Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, to provide the exemption and issue a clear official notification or circular through the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).The resolution also urged the Centre to ensure that long-serving teachers continue to receive their service benefits, including promotions, without any hindrance.The resolution said around 3,28,701 government school teachers in Tamil Nadu would have to clear TET to secure promotions following the Supreme Court’s September 1, 2025, order. It also noted that the court, in its May 29, 2026, judgment on the review petition, directed serving teachers to clear TET by August 31, 2028.The assembly said forcing teachers who have served continuously for 15 to 20 years and are nearing retirement to take the eligibility test would affect their livelihood, and stressed the need to protect their job security and welfare.All political parties extended their support to the resolution.DMK whip E V Velu said that only new legislation by the Union government would provide an exemption from TET and urged the state government to press the Centre for a new law rather than an amendment to existing legislation.
