SC makes TET mandatory for teachers; debates begin

The Supreme Court's ruling mandating the Teacher Eligibility Test for job retention & promotions is met with a mixed response, as schools and teachers weigh in on the pros & cons

Bengaluru: The Supreme Court has ruled that clearing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is mandatory for teachers to retain their jobs and secure promotions. The verdict has stirred widespread concern among teachers and sparked intense debate across schools.

Welcoming the ruling, Usha Iyer, Director of The Green School, Bengaluru, said, “I’m very happy about this decision of the Supreme Court because it’s crucial to improve the quality of education. Having competent teachers is vital.

If teaching in schools is of high quality, students need not rely on tuition centres.” She emphasised that the TET would help schools gauge teachers’ competency, as the quality of education directly reflects the knowledge and methods employed by educators.

Private schools, in particular, view the directive as a strong incentive for teachers to upgrade their skills and adapt to the evolving demands of the education sector.

However, many teachers have expressed strong reservations. “This is not corporate. A simple test cannot define a teacher’s capability,” remarked Chitra, a teacher from Bengaluru. Another teacher argued that teaching is more about day-to-day interactions than written exams. “It is not about eligibility on paper.

Unless teachers can handle children and parents every day, no score in TET will matter,” she said. Senior educators, especially, questioned the rationale behind subjecting experienced teachers to the test, contending that years of classroom experience should weigh more heavily than a single exam.

They also raised concerns about the diverse curricula – CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE – asking how one uniform test could fairly evaluate teachers across these varied boards. While supportive of the broader intent behind the ruling, Usha cautioned that reforms must balance quality with empathy.

“Teachers need support, not threats. Bridge courses, training modules, practice tests, and mentoring can make the transition smoother,” she said. She further urged states to invest in capacitybuilding initiatives to ensure the reform does not deepen the rural-urban education divide.

Many educators also believe that the primary focus of TET implementation should be on government and rural schools, where concerns about teaching quality are most pressing.