Teachers’ associations on Tuesday urged School Education Minister Rajmohan to reduce the qualifying marks for teachers in the special Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) held recently. Over 100 teachers’ associations aired their demands to the Minister at a meeting held in Chennai.

Most associations also requested him to regularise part-time teachers jobs under the Ministry. “We have been contract staff for over 15 years. Every year in the month of June, our employment gets renewed. Our salary has remained ₹25,000 during this time. How can we manage?” asked M. Usharani, president of the Tamil Nadu Vocational and Special Teachers’ Association.

Braille books

S. Diwakar, a blind professor from the Blind Teachers’ Association, urged Mr. Rajmohan to publish the Braille books as soon as possible as with conventional ones. “When there is a change in the subject, it’s immediately reflected in the books that go to the press first. However, there is a delay in it being sent to the Braille press, which in turn causes a delay for students to learn,” he said. The Minister assured him that this would be rectified right away.

Further, the Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers’ Association urged the Minister to grant “equal pay for equal work”. Stating that for the last 12 years, they have been receiving different salaries as compared to those who joined after June 1, J. Robert, general secretary of the association urged Mr. Rajmohan to rectify it.

S. Gnanasekaran, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary School Headmasters’ Association, urged the School Education Department to appoint maintenance personnel for schools. “Right now, there are no cleaning or security personnel for schools. Only a small fund is allocated per school, which does not cover the needs of a higher secondary school. This affects the enrolment prospects,” he pointed out.

Mr. Rajmohan assured them that he would look into their demands and try to fulfil as many of them as possible.

Published - July 28, 2026 09:26 pm IST