PANAJI
In a significant move, the State government has introduced a new Goa Teacher Eligibility Test (GTET) as a qualifying barrier for those desiring to be teachers in elementary classes from 2021 onwards.
"The Government of Goa is pleased to declare that the persons who desire to be teachers in Class I to VIII (Elementary) shall be required to qualify the Goa Teacher Eligibility Test (GTET)," says a notification issued in the first week of September under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (Central Act 35 of 2009).
According to the notification, GTET will be conducted by State Council for Education, Research and Triaining (SCERT) from 2021 onwards.
There is one significant exception though. Graduates desirous of taking up teaching in classes I to V, will be permitted to teach without GTET provided they have acquired the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree through any National Council for Technical Education (NCTE) recognized institution.
They however will have to mandatorily undergo a six-month Bridge Course in Elementary Education recognised by NCTE, within two years post appointment.
"Person who has acquired the qualification of Bachelor of Education from any NCTE recognized institution shall be considered for appointment as a teacher in classes I to V provided the person so appointed as a teacher shall mandatorily undergo a six month Bridge Course in Elementary Education recognized by the NCTE, within two years of such appointment as primary teacher,” states the notification.
The GTET will be conducted by SCERT in two papers: Paper I for those desirous of teaching in class I to V and Paper-II for teachers in Class VI-VIII.
For Paper-I, that is to become a teacher in classes I-V, the qualification required to answer the GTET is Senior Secondary (HSSC) with 50 per-cent marks and he/she will have to either pass or be answering the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (DEEd).
Also, those holding a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education degree or have answered the final year of such a degree are eligible to sit for GTET's paper-I.
Graduation with a pass or in final year of a two-year BEd degree is the qualification benchmark to sit for the GTET- Paper-II (for Elementary/Upper Primary Stage: Classes VI-VIII).
Also, graduates who have passed or are appearing in final year of 2-years Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known) or Graduates with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) are also eligible to sit for GTET's Paper-II.
Those with Senior Secondary (HSSC) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.EI.Ed), or graduates with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in B.Ed. (Special Education) and any candidate having qualified BEd Programme recognized by the NCTE are also eligible.
