Assam mulls teachers’ test - Move aimed at quality teaching

Assam Govt. going to conduct teaching aptitude test for newly appointed teachers to maintain quality, those who fails this test will be given voluntary retirement.


Why for new teachers, Why not for all teachers and officers and for all.
Quality is required at every stage, and those who are involved any type of corruption should be out from Government service and same should be adopted for politicians as well.



Guwahati, May 19: The Assam education department has decided to conduct evaluation test for all newly appointed schoolteachers to maintain quality teaching.

Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said only those who pass the test, which will cover aptitude, ethics, sincerity and innovative teaching skills, will be allowed to continue in service. Those who fail to clear the test will be given voluntary retirement.

“In the proposed test, marks will be allotted to teachers who maintain a positive attitude towards teaching. Marks will also be given on the basis of feedback given by students and parents on teachers’ involvement in teaching. Teachers who maintain ethics by not involving themselves with any political party and other non-academic activities will also be given marks,” Sarma said.

The education department said the proposal would be placed before the cabinet within 10 to 15 days. Once approved, it will amend the service rules for teachers.

Sarma said if the cabinet approves the proposal, Assam would become the first state in the country to conduct such test for teachers.

A teacher will have to appear for the test thrice during his or her service tenure. The first test would be conducted on completion of five years, the second after seven years and the last one after 12 years, he added.

“The sole objective of conducting such a test is to spot the teachers who are reluctant and not dedicated to their profession. The government does not want teachers to join the profession just to earn a livelihood. Teaching is a profession where one needs to be passionate and dedicated. The move is to do away with reluctance to teach sincerely,” Sarma said.

He said there were several instances of schoolteachers giving classes a miss for politics and unionism and this adversely affected the education system in the state.

The announcement comes a day before 26,109 candidates, who have cleared the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET), will get their appointment letters at a function to be attended by chief minister Tarun Gogoi at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai Sports Complex here.

Sarma said this would be the first time that such a huge number of teachers would be appointed in the state through an “extremely transparent” process.

He said there were 28,213 vacant posts of teachers in lower primary and upper primary schools in the state but only 26,109 candidates would be recruited because of non-availability of eligible candidates for appointment in schools in the Sixth Schedule districts of the state.

The government will spend Rs 419.15 crore annually to pay salaries to these teachers. While the Centre will bear 75 per cent of the expenditure, the state will bear the rest.


News : telegraphindia.com ( 20.5.12)