Maharashtra Zilla Parishad elections: Teachers seek relief to appear for CTET exams

School teachers during the BMC polls. File pic

With the Zilla Parishad poll dates rescheduled to February 7 from February 5, teachers who are to appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) have asked for relief from election duty.

"CTET aspirants have been given February 7, 8 dates for the exam. The candidates also need to look into their commute and their accommodation as the centres allotted to teachers this time are far away," said Sudhir Ghagas, from Shikshan Kranti Sanghatana. The CTET is administered centrally by the CBSE as a minimum qualifier for all school teachers from Std I to Std VIII.

"The question that has now arisen is whether the candidates who have registered appear for the test that they have studied for or go for election duty," wrote Ghagas.

The Zilla Parishad elections were initially to be held on February 5 but were postponed due to the three-day state mourning following the demise of Maharashtra's Dy CM Ajit Pawar.

"While we see some circulars stating that the examination will be conducted on the 8th, the teachers still stand to fall into trouble as the centres allotted to them are far away," said Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals' Association.

Following the requests, officials from the Zilla Adhikari Office have asked for the details of all teacher candidates who are to appear for the CTET on Friday.