Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, OCT 9:

The Arunachal Pradesh Primary Teachers Association (APrTA) on Friday urged the state government to exempt in-service primary teachers from the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and conduct Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings regularly in accordance with Cabinet approval.

In a press conference held at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here, APrTA president Takar Dada informed that the association in a representation submitted to the state Education Minister, wherein it stated the mandatory TET requirement has created anxiety among in-service primary teachers, many of whom may be unable to appear for the examination due to various reasons.

The association cited the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s resolution passed on September 24, 2026, seeking exemption from TET for in-service teachers appointed before October 31, 2019. It also referred to a unanimous resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly seeking an amendment to the Right to Education Act to permanently exempt teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, from the TET requirement.

APrTA urged the state government to examine the matter and provide appropriate relief to in-service teachers. It said that if a similar policy adopted by other states was not feasible, the government could consider granting a one-time relaxation through the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) or filing a review petition before the Supreme Court against the order.

The association also raised concerns over the implementation of the Marnya Ete Committee’s recommendations on the appointment of head teachers at the upper primary school level and senior-most trained graduate teachers at the upper primary level, along with senior-most primary teachers at the primary level.

It alleged that the department’s failure to implement the recommendations had caused prejudice to deserving teachers and urged the government to intervene to ensure that established rules and notifications were followed.

Further, APrTA expressed concern over the non-conduct of DPC meetings despite clear Cabinet approval for holding them twice a year. It said the association’s file had remained pending at the Commissioner’s office for the past three years.

The association urged the government to ensure regular DPC meetings so that senior and deserving teachers could receive their due promotions without further delay.

APrTA expressed hope that the state government would address the grievances of primary teachers and take necessary steps to resolve the issues.