Chennai: Owing to easier question papers and relaxation in qualifying marks, the number of aspirants clearing the Tamil Nadu teacher eligibility test (TN TET) increased by four times this year over the previous time. According to data from the teachers recruitment board (TRB), of the 4,24,317 candidates who appeared for both papers, 1,50,703 candidates cleared the test. In the previous test conducted in 2022, 36,973 candidates had cleared the exam.Of 92,417 candidates who appeared for Paper I, 45,469 candidates cleared it and the pass percentage was 49%. In Paper II, 1,04,604 candidates out of 3,31,900 cleared it and the pass percentage was 32%.The results assume significance in the background of the Supreme Court’s order mandating all in-service teachers to clear TET within two years.“The questions were asked from the Class I to Class XII textbooks for both papers. That is why a majority of the candidates were able to clear it. Particularly, Paper I for the secondary grade teachers was very easy,” a candidate said.Sources in TRB said the relaxation of qualifying marks boosted results this year. The state govt relaxed the qualifying marks from 55% to 50% for candidates from most backward classes (MBCs) and backward classes (BCs). These candidates needed 75 marks out of 150 marks to clear the test.The pass percentage for scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and SC(A) candidates was reduced from 55% to 40%. These candidates needed 60 marks out of 150 marks to pass the test.Qualified candidates can download their e-certificate from TRB’s website, www.trb.tn.gov.in, from Feb 2.P Patric Rhymond, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu graduate teachers federation, urged the TN govt to conduct special TET exams for in-service teachers without further delay. “The state govt decided to conduct three TET exams. TRB should issue a notification to conduct the first special TET. The govt also should consider reducing the qualifying marks for general category candidates as well,” he said.The Supreme Court’s order is set to affect nearly two lakh teachers working in govt-aided and private schools across the state.
