The Gujarat government has implemented a significant change in teacher recruitment policy by lowering the minimum qualifying marks for the Teacher Aptitude Test (TAT) main examination. This decision specifically applies to recruitment in government and grant-in-aid secondary and higher secondary schools across the state.
Revised Qualification Criteria for TAT Examination
The policy revision comes as a response to recent structural changes in both the TAT-Secondary (TAT-S) and TAT-Higher Secondary (TAT-HS) main examinations. Under the new guidelines, general category candidates must now secure 60 per cent marks to qualify for the examination. Meanwhile, candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and persons with disabilities need to achieve 55 per cent marks to pass the test.
Previous Requirements and Current Changes
Previously, all candidates regardless of category were required to obtain 60 per cent marks to clear the Teacher Aptitude Test. This uniform requirement has now been modified to create a more balanced and accessible recruitment process. The revised criteria apply exclusively to the TAT main examination and represent a strategic shift in the state's approach to teacher selection.
Addressing Teacher Shortage and Promoting Inclusivity
Education officials have clarified that this policy adjustment aims to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously. The primary goal is to make the teacher recruitment process more practical and inclusive, ensuring that qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds have better opportunities to enter the teaching profession.
The decision directly addresses the persistent shortage of qualified teachers in state-run schools, particularly in specialized subjects where finding eligible candidates has proven challenging. For several years, many teaching positions have remained vacant due to insufficient numbers of qualified applicants, which has negatively impacted students' academic progress and educational outcomes.
Impact on Education System
By lowering the qualifying marks for reserved categories while maintaining a reasonable standard for general category candidates, the Gujarat government hopes to fill vacant teaching positions more efficiently. This approach acknowledges the practical realities of teacher availability while maintaining educational standards. The policy change is expected to benefit schools struggling with staffing shortages and students who have been affected by inadequate teacher coverage in various subjects.
The revised TAT examination criteria represent a calculated effort to balance merit-based selection with practical recruitment needs, potentially setting a precedent for other states facing similar challenges in teacher recruitment and retention.
