In-service teachers in Andhra Pradesh seek permanent TET exemption through statewide campaign

Teachers in Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of FORTO Chairman Karanam Harikrishna, are pushing for a permanent exemption from Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). They have begun submitting petitions to Members of Parliament. Should their requests go unanswered by the end of June, they might ramp up their efforts with protests.

BRIC Team

Jun 26, 2026 · 1 min read · 2 views

In-service teachers in Andhra Pradesh seek permanent TET exemption through statewide campaign

Key Takeaways

•FORTO leaders began their campaign on March 1, 2024, to seek a permanent exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test for in-service teachers.
•Chairman Karanam Harikrishna stated that requiring teachers to retake the TET is unfair given their established eligibility at hiring.
•The Forum of Registered Teacher Organisations plans to submit petitions to MPs across Andhra Pradesh until the end of June 2024.
•Teachers argue that the mandatory TET causes significant mental stress and uncertainty about job security.
•If their demands for exemption are not met, FORTO may resort to protests to amplify their message.

In-service teachers in Andhra Pradesh are pushing for a permanent exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), as leaders of the Forum of Registered Teacher Organisations (FORTO) initiated statewide campaign on Friday. They are urging Members of Parliament to amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009,to secure this exemption.

Chairman Karanam Harikrishna emphasized that teachers who joined the government service met the eligibility criteria established at the time of their hiring. He argued that it is unfair to require these educators,who have consistently provided quality education for years, to retake the TET. The forum members expressed that the mandatory testing is not only unnecessary but also causes significant mental stress and uncertainty regarding job security for serving teachers.

As part of their campaign,FORTO leaders are submitting petitions to MPs throughout the state, with plans to continue this effort until the end of June . They have indicated that if their demands are not met,they may resort to protests to amplify their message. ongoing campaign reflects a growing concern among educators about the implications of the TET on their professional lives.

#Andhra Pradesh