Bhopal, April 4 (NationPress) As discussions intensify regarding the essential Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), seasoned Congress politician Digvijaya Singh penned a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday, highlighting the concerns of more than 200,000 teachers currently employed in state-run schools.

In his correspondence, Singh urged CM Yadav to consider filing a review or curative petition to ensure that the TET requirement is applicable prospectively, rather than retroactively.

He remarked that the Right to Education Act was introduced by the central government in 2009 and was subsequently enforced in Madhya Pradesh starting April 1, 2010.

Singh pointed out that the Supreme Court has mandated that all primary and secondary school teachers must pass the TET examination.

“Yet, an exemption has been allowed for teachers nearing retirement, specifically those with less than five years left. Not passing this test could result in termination or forced retirement,” he expressed.

He also mentioned that, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive, the School Education Department of Madhya Pradesh recently issued an order declaring the TET examination compulsory for all teachers, tentatively set for July-August 2026.

“This notification has sparked concern among over 200,000 teachers in government schools, particularly in tribal areas. Failure to succeed in this examination could threaten the livelihoods of numerous teachers, potentially leading to financial distress for their families,” Singh articulated.

Additionally, he noted that the affected teachers are preparing to file review petitions in the Supreme Court through their unions, which will impose further financial strain on them.

“The state government ought to advocate for the teachers in court. This would not only alleviate financial burdens but also bolster their confidence in the government,” he asserted.

Singh emphasized that for the past 25 years, Madhya Pradesh has implemented a merit-based hiring process via the Vyapam (Professional Examination Board).

He reiterated that teachers have already fulfilled the required academic criteria, such as obtaining a B.Ed.

A key point in his letter was that the “Supreme Court’s ruling specifically addressed the State of Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh was not included in that case. Nevertheless, the decision was enforced in the state.”

He further added: “This was implemented even though Madhya Pradesh has maintained a rigorous examination system comparable to the TET through the Professional Examination Board, which has historically been the standard for teacher appointments across Categories 1, 2, and 3.”

Singh concluded his letter by requesting CM Yadav to take prompt and necessary legal actions to protect the interests of the thousands of teachers in the state and to resolve the TET issue.