Akola TET Exam Gates Shut on Latecomers, Sparks Outrage
A significant controversy unfolded in Akola on Sunday when hundreds of aspiring teachers were barred from taking the crucial Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for arriving merely five minutes past the reporting time. The incident triggered widespread anger among candidates who had traveled from various locations to appear for the career-defining examination.
Rigid Implementation at Multiple Centers
According to the examination guidelines, candidates were required to report 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time. However, at several prominent centers including Samarth Public School and School of Scholars, authorities implemented this rule with what students described as extreme rigidity and insensitivity.
With Akola district hosting 14 TET centres, the problem was not isolated to a single location. Multiple examination venues witnessed similar scenes of frustration and disappointment as gates were shut precisely at the reporting deadline, leaving numerous qualified candidates stranded outside.
Students Cite Genuine Reasons for Delay
Affected candidates presented multiple legitimate reasons for their slight tardiness. Traffic congestion, poor management outside examination centers, and inadequate guidance were cited as primary causes for the minimal delays. Many emphasized that they had only missed the deadline by a few minutes, yet faced complete exclusion from the examination.
Mahesh Kute, a local candidate from Akola, expressed his frustration: "We reached barely five minutes late, but they shut the gates and refused to listen. The crowd outside and lack of proper arrangements delayed us."
Reshma Ghate, who had traveled from another town specifically for the exam, shared her disappointing experience: "We travelled from another town. Despite showing them proof of our travel delay, the staff did not allow us in. This is complete injustice."
Year of Preparation Wasted
The consequences of this strict enforcement have been devastating for many candidates. Numerous students reported that their entire year's preparation and effort has been rendered meaningless due to what they term as "high-handed behaviour" by school administrations.
Many candidates had made significant financial and personal investments to appear for the examination, including arranging accommodation in Akola and bearing travel expenses from distant locations. The sudden exclusion has left them emotionally and financially drained.
There is growing demand among the affected candidates for education authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged mismanagement and reconsider the strict entry rule implementation, especially in exceptional circumstances where delays are minimal and justified.
The incident has raised important questions about balancing examination discipline with reasonable flexibility, particularly when external factors beyond candidates' control contribute to minor delays.
