Over 1.5 lakh teachers’ jobs at risk in MP:Department will conduct eligibility test, teachers will be removed if they fail TET

The jobs of about 1.5 lakh teachers in Madhya Pradesh have come under threat. The School Education Department has issued an order stating that teachers who were appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 will have to pass the TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) to continue in service. The Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI), Bhopal, has recently issued instructions to all Divisional Joint Directors and District Education Officers. According to this, teachers who have more than 5 years remaining before retirement will mandatorily have to take the TET exam. Supreme Court order taken as basis The School Education Department has taken this step based on the Supreme Court’s decision. The order clarifies that concerned teachers must pass the TET exam within two years from the date of issuance of the order. If any teacher fails to pass the TET within the stipulated time period, they can be removed from service. Proposed examination in July-August 2026 The Directorate has instructed officials to identify teachers working in primary and secondary schools and inform them to participate in the examination. According to the Education Department, it is proposed to conduct the TET examination in July-August 2026. It has also been clarified that passing TET will remain mandatory for candidates seeking appointment or promotion. Employee organizations have started protest After this order, resentment has started growing among teachers’ organizations. Employee organizations say that it is not appropriate to remove teachers who have been serving for a long time based on such an examination. The organizations are also preparing to file review petitions in the Supreme Court.