Karivellur: With K-TET made a mandatory qualification for teachers, around 40,000 teachers are appearing for the exam this time. A total of 1,35,789 candidates have applied for this year’s K-TET examinations. According to government figures, 75,015 teachers in the state are yet to acquire K-TET qualification. K-TET Category I and II exams, which are qualifications for primary school teachers and have the highest number of applicants, were held on Saturday.

The K-TET Category III exam, the qualification for high school teachers, will be conducted on February 23. As teachers are engaged in the exams, the Plus Two model examination scheduled for that day has been postponed. The general K-TET exams are being held on February 21 and 23.

The special K-TET exam announced by the government for unqualified teachers is likely to be conducted only in May, as SSLC and Plus Two public exams and their valuation are currently underway.

There are complaints that the large number of teachers appearing for exams has disrupted the functioning of public schools in the state.

K-TET was not mandatory for teachers who entered service before 2013. However, following an order that all teachers must acquire K-TET qualification before September 1, 2027, more than half of the teachers in many schools have prepared to take the exam. With K-TET qualification now made compulsory for promotions, even teachers who have just a year left before retirement have begun preparing for the test.