Mumbai : In a bid to address the persistent shortage of educators in the state, Maharashtra is gearing up for the recruitment of an additional 10 thousand teachers. Following the recent announcement of the recruitment list for eleven thousand teachers, the state education department has decided to conduct the recruitment process afresh. This decision comes in light of the substantial number of vacant positions in government and aided schools across Maharashtra, compounded by the annual retirement of a significant portion of the teaching workforce.
The shortage of teachers has posed considerable challenges for educational institutions, necessitating a more frequent recruitment cycle. Despite the escalating demand, teacher recruitment has typically occurred at intervals of five to six years, exacerbating the strain on schools. To address this issue, the education department has opted to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) annually, thereby facilitating a more regular influx of qualified educators.
The forthcoming TET, slated for June, will serve as a gateway for aspiring teachers vying for the coveted positions. Prospective candidates are advised to prepare diligently as the exam schedule will be announced shortly. Since its inception in 2014, the TET has been instrumental in filling the void in teaching positions across the state. However, the low pass rate in the TET examination has presented challenges in teacher recruitment.
Furthermore, candidates who successfully clear the TET are required to undergo the Common Entrance Test (CET), which serves as a further screening process. Despite the availability of numerous vacancies, the proportion of candidates passing the CET remains meager, resulting in a substantial number of unfilled positions. To streamline the recruitment process and ensure the efficient utilization of available vacancies, the education department has opted to re-conduct the TET exam in June following the recruitment of 13,500 teachers.
With the reassurance of a more frequent recruitment cycle and the forthcoming TET exam, stakeholders remain optimistic about addressing the longstanding issue of teacher shortages in Maharashtra. By prioritizing the recruitment of qualified educators, the state aims to enhance the quality of education and provide adequate support to its educational institutions.