Patna, Sep 1: A group of teacher recruitment aspirants gathered outside the official residence of Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari here on Tuesday, demanding that candidates who have cleared the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) be allowed to apply for the fourth phase of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4).
The protesters sought equal opportunity in the recruitment process, pointing out that the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has allowed State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) candidates to apply for TRE-4 but excluded CTET-qualified candidates.
The BPSC’s August 18 notification for TRE-4 permitted STET candidates to apply for the recruitment examination but did not include CTET candidates, triggering discontent among aspirants.
“Lakhs of CTET candidates have been affected by the BPSC’s move,” an aspirant said while protesting outside the minister’s residence.
The protesters also urged Tiwari to meet them and listen to their grievances.
“The minister should at least meet us and hear our grievances, as he always claims he is ready for dialogue,” the aspirant said.
The BPSC on Monday also postponed the scheduled commencement of the online application process for TRE-4, citing procedural changes. The recruitment drive is for 32,388 vacant school teacher posts under the Bihar Education Department.
Tiwari, who did not meet the protesting candidates outside his residence, later told reporters at another location that students should not panic and assured them that the government was prepared to address their concerns.
“Students are our future, and the government is ready to hear and address their grievances,” he said.
The minister also said the BPSC was preparing to conduct the examination transparently and advised candidates to continue their preparations.
“BPSC is preparing to conduct the examination transparently. Candidates should engage themselves in preparing for the exam,” Tiwari said.
However, the minister did not clarify whether CTET-qualified candidates would eventually be permitted to appear for TRE-4.
The dispute over eligibility comes as the state prepares for the recruitment of thousands of teachers, with aspirants seeking clarity on the examination rules before the application process begins.
