The recent news that 4.8 lakh teachers are applying for the SC-mandated Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is a stark reminder of the immense aspirations and the undeniable challenges within our education system. It speaks volumes about the dedication of individuals seeking to shape the future, yet it also exposes the systemic pressures and bottlenecks in our journey towards robust educational employment.
I've reflected on this kind of phenomenon before. The sheer scale of applications for government positions is not new. I recall writing about how millions appeared for the NEET-UG exam, as detailed in my post "NEET-UG 25". Even earlier, the overwhelming numbers applying for clerical jobs at institutions like the State Bank of India drew 2.8 million candidates for 27,000 vacancies, including many engineering graduates "Twice the Jobs at Half the Salary?". This historical context, alongside insights from C Chandramouli, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training, on the average number of aspirants for central government jobs, truly underscores the persistent challenge of matching job seekers with available positions. This current situation with the TET is another powerful illustration of the intense competition for stable, respected government roles in India.
The Teacher Eligibility Test itself is a crucial gatekeeper, much like other national-level exams such as the UGC-NET. This brings to mind my earlier concerns about the integrity and efficiency of such large-scale examinations, particularly when discussing the National Testing Agency (NTA). I had highlighted the flip-flop between computer-based and paper-based formats for the UGC-NET exam, urging transparency and advanced technological solutions to ensure fairness "Computerised or paper: UGC-NET exam flip-flop raises questions" and "How many flip-flops". I had even reached out to NTA officers like Shri Harshit Agarwal (Joint Director-Exams, NTA, harshit.agarwal@nta.ac.in), Col. B Vijay Kumar (Director – Exams, NTA, Vijay.kumar@nta.ac.in), and Pradeep Singh Kharola (Director General – NTA, ps.kharola@nic.in), advocating for features like those on my platform, www.My-Teacher.in, which offers free, anonymous, multi-lingual mock tests with instant feedback to help aspirants prepare effectively and learn from mistakes immediately "How to Beat NEET-UG 2025". It's a method that fosters genuine learning and could significantly benefit TET aspirants.
Paradoxically, this massive influx of applications for teaching positions comes at a time when reports, such as the Niti Aayog's findings, continue to highlight severe faculty shortages and poor infrastructure in state public universities "State public universities grappling with faculty shortages, poor infrastructure: Niti Aayog report". This disparity points to a critical need to bridge the gap between a vast pool of qualified or aspiring educators and the actual availability of quality, permanent teaching roles.
Teaching remains a highly respected and sought-after profession, especially for women, offering stability and a positive work-life balance, as noted in analyses of government jobs for females "Top 10 High Salary Government Jobs for Females after Graduation in 2025". This trend is a testament to the enduring appeal of the profession and also highlights the need for policies that support and empower women in their career pursuits, something I have long championed, observing disparities in higher education and advocating for measures like the Women's Reservation Bill "Higher Education: How Do Fair Sex Fare?".
The core idea I want to convey is this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context. The sheer number of teachers applying for TET is not merely a statistic; it's a call to action for policymakers to re-evaluate recruitment processes, invest in educational infrastructure, and ensure that aspiring teachers are seamlessly integrated into a system that desperately needs their talent and dedication.
Regards, Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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