Leaders of the Forum of Registered Teacher Organisations (FORTO) have expressed concern over the implementation of the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification requirement for in-service teachers and announced a phased agitation programme to oppose the move.

The issue was discussed extensively at the organisation’s executive committee meeting held on Friday, during which several resolutions were adopted.

The association urged the State government to exempt teachers appointed before 2001 from the TET requirement, citing the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) clarification issued in 2017. It also demanded that teachers recruited before the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act should not be required to clear the TET examination. The organisation called upon the State government to press the Centre to amend the RTE Act through Parliament to address the issue.

FORTO leaders further urged the State government to invoke the powers available under Article 309 of the Constitution to ensure that the TET qualification is not made mandatory for teachers appointed before 2010.

As part of its agitation plan, the organisation conducted awareness seminars in districts across the State on Saturday and said the programme would continue on Sunday. Placard demonstrations will be held on June 15 and 16, while representations will be submitted to Members of Parliament from June 20, seeking amendments to the RTE Act.

The organisation also announced the appointment of D. Srinu as working president and M. Srinivasa Rao as working general secretary.