30th May, 2016: The inclusion of D.El.Ed and B.Ed qualification as mandatory criteria for TET Exam and recruitment in SSA and RMSA teachers has met disapproval among aspiring candidates especially tribal students from hill areas. Almost all tribal students who went to collect application form had to return empty handed as they do not possess these qualifications. Dearth of candidates among tribal students who could fulfil the requisite qualification is due to the fact that there is virtually no institution in the hill areas where tribal students can pursue D.El.Ed and B.Ed course. The DIET centre in hill areas only cater to the needs of in-service teachers and as such tribal students having D.El.Ed is minimal and negligible. Since there is no B.Ed college in the hill areas only an insignificant number of tribal students pursue the course in Imphal. It is to be noted that tribal student bodies have been demanding establishment B.Ed colleges in the hill districts which is yet to be fulfilled by the government. In the backdrop of this scenario the inclusion of D.El.Ed and B.Ed as mandatory criteria for TET Exam and recruitment of teachers under SSA and RMSA at this point of time is not sensible and reasonable at all.
Therefore, KSO and ANSAM urge the government to declare onetime relaxation on these criteria so that maximum numbers of students are given the opportunity to take on the TET exam and eligible for recruitment of teachers under SSA and RMSA. Under the existing policy and rules of recruitment it is evident that almost all the tribal aspirants will be deprived of the opportunity in recruitment of teachers under SSA and RMSA, which does not bode well for peace and justice in the state.
In this regard, ANSAM and KSO is prepared to go to any length to see to it that the tribal students are not subjected to any form of prejudice and injustice. Onetime relaxation of D.El.Ed and B.Ed as essential criteria for TET exams and teacher recruitment under SSA & RMSA would be the most palpable option to resolve the criteria row.
(Seiboi Haokip)
General Secretary
KSO General Headquarters
(Alexander Huten)
General Secretary
All Naga Students Association Manipur