KSA halts TET exam process, alleges excess form fee charge
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 02 2022:
Condemning the issuance of Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) examination forms separately by Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) and Education (S) Department, Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) halted the said process until the confusion created has been resolved.
Meanwhile, the students' body maintained that no extra charge should be taken from students for filling up form of Class XI and XII by schools beyond the fee structure prescribed by Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM).
In separate releases, KSA secretary general Th Johnson pointed out that the TET exam which is one of the criteria for becoming primary and upper primary teacher used to be conducted from time to time in the past.
But this time, the way in which preparation for conduct of TET exam is made seems to be without any authority as Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) and Education (S) Department are separately issuing forms for the same exam causing confusion among the candidates, he contended, while adding that two departments should make clear whether BSEM or Education (S) will conduct the exam as the candidates are confused on where to submit the forms.
While question whether TET exams would be conducted separately under the two departments, Johnson strongly denounced the manner in which the two departments are 'squabbling' over conduct of the exam.
As such, the issuance of forms for TET exam has been halted until the confusion is cleared, he continued, while urging the education minister to look into the matter and punish those involved in creating such a mess.
Meanwhile, Johnson stated that schools should not take extra charge from Class XII and Class XI students for form fill up of Higher Secondary Exam and Class XI exam beyond the fee structure laid down by CoHSEM.
If there is any objection regarding the fee structure of the Council then rectification should be made by informing the Council in time, he continued, while adding that the student community will never accept collection of huge amount of money from students.
Pointing out that the state is overwhelmed by poor people engaging in daily wage jobs, he said that hiking of fee will have serious effect on students from poor families.
As such, schools should not levy additional charge for filling up form but stick to the amount prescribed by the Council.
He urged not to convert education into money minting business instead of helping the students who are the future pillars of the society.
If schools continue to burden students and their families, then they will be considered as enemy of the society and action taken up by joining hands with authorities concerned, he cautioned.
Every year the state faces issues of collecting excess amount from students for form fill up by some schools.
Yet, neither the council nor the education (S) department has taken any action against such schools, he lamented.
Instead of giving more focus and resources in education sector so that students can be a part of global race in development, the education department remains idle and works just for namesake only, he contended, and urged authorities concerned to work for the development of education sector by considering that education is the backbone of the society.