A ray of hope for TAIT aspirants

After several years of long waiting, the Maharashtra government initiated teachers’ recruitment through the Pavitra Portal. In 2022, Teacher Aptitude and Intelligence Tests (TAIT) was conducted, clearing the path for teachers recruitment. Despite the TAIT results being announced, eligible teachers had to wait nearly two years for their appointments. Finally, in 2024, many teachers were appointed to Zilla Parishad, Municipal Corporations, and Municipal Council schools without interviews, while others were appointed through the converted round and interviews via the Pavitra Portal. These teachers are now working, and their salaries have started regularly.

However, for those teachers who prioritized applying to the prestigious Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in the first round without an interview, the wait continues. Six months have passed, and despite being selected on merit, they have not yet received their appointments.

The Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, founded by Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil to uplift underprivileged students, became the institution of choice for many aspiring teachers, inspired by its noble mission. These teachers, having passed the TAIT with flying colors, hoped to carry forward Bhaurao Patil’s legacy. Yet, their dream has turned into frustration as, despite being selected, they remain unappointed.

For the past six months, these teachers have been running from pillar to post, visiting the Education Commissioner and Rayat Shikshan Sanstha Office, seeking appointments. Their pleas have been met with silence. Even when they approached prominent leaders like MP Supriya Sule and MLA Rohit Pawar, hoping for intervention, nothing substantial materialized.

The delay stems from a legal stay on appointments following a petition filed by temporary teachers of the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha. But why should the TAIT-qualified teachers, who have passed exams after intense preparation, suffer for no fault of their own? Repeated assurances to ‘remain patience’ have done little to ease their frustration. Despite meeting legislators, Members of Parliament, and various district leaders, no concrete action has been taken to address their plight.

Currently, 801 teachers who preferred Rayat Shikshan Sanstha through the Pavitra Portal are still awaiting appointments. Even though the institution is led by Sharad Pawar, a leader known for resolving complex issues, these teachers have been unable to meet him despite several attempts. Many of them have expressed their disappointment, stating that even though the government’s decision to recruit teachers through the Pavitra Portal brought them joy, the prolonged delay in appointments has caused them much headache.

The legal battle continues, and the teachers are caught in the dilemma. They question why the Education Commissioner’s office listed vacancies in Rayat Shikshan Sanstha on the Pavitra Portal if the institution was already embroiled in legal issues. If these vacancies hadn’t been listed, the teachers might have opted for other institutions.

In a final act of desperation, these teachers had resorted to staging a hunger strike outside the Education Commissioner’s office, demanding swift action. While the police tried to suppress the protest, the teachers stood firm, vowing not to relent until their demands were met. In response, the Education Commissioner issued a letter promising that the unappointed Rayat teachers would be adjusted into other institutions by the end of October. Now, these teachers wait with bated breath, hoping that the promise is kept.

(The author is a teacher based in Latur. Views personal.)