Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has urged the Union Human Resource Development Minister to exempt the 2008-10 batch of JBT Trainees (JBT) in Himachal Pradesh who were selected through Common Entrance Test (CET) from the condition of having passed Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) before appointment as JBT teachers.
In a letter written to Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Junior Basic Teachers (JBT) teach classes 1 to 5 in Himachal Pradesh. State has been selecting JBT trainees through a State level Common Entrance Test conducted by H.P. Board of School Education, thereafter the trainees undergo two years teacher training course in the DIETs and NCTE approved private institutions. He said that training course is conducted as per requirement of JBT teachers in the State. The candidates, who pass the said course, are posted against the JBT vacancies. He further said that 2625 JBT trainees for 2008-10 batch were selected through a CET and their course commenced prior to the implementation of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009. Now their appointments have been held up due to imposition of TET, he added.
Chief Minister said that after the implementation of RTE-2009, a candidate was required to have minimum qualifications of 10+2 with 50% marks and pass in 2nd year JBT training course form a recognised institution. Passing of Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) has been made mandatory w.e.f. 23rd August, 2010. The JBT trainees of 2008-10 batch fulfil the criteria of 10+2 with 50% marks and two year training from a recognised institution which were required as per Recruitment and Promotion Rules applicable at the time of their selection through CET for training. There was no condition of TET at the time when these candidates enrolled for two year JBT training, he said.
Prem Kumar Dhumal has requested the Union Minister to reconsider the Government of India decision turning down the State’s request by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
