50 report late for exam, blame centre

Nagpur: Teaching aspirants on Sunday alleged that around 40 to 50 of them missed the crucial Maharashtra Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) when the Shankar Nagar-based exam centre Saraswati Vidyalaya allegedly closed its gate half-an-hour before the deadline at 1.15pm.
The exam was held at four centres across the city for second shift between 2.00pm and 4.30pm. Centre officials denied any foul play saying rules were followed and the gate was closed only at 1.45pm, which was prescribed by the exam conducting authority.

“Total 211 students were allotted at Saraswati Vidyalaya out of which 146 were present. As per directives of the authority, the gate had to be opened at 1.15pm and closed at 1.45pm. The OMR answersheets are to be distributed and attendance is to be marked simultaneously. At 2pm, the attendance has to be forwarded to the authority by all centres. It can’t be delayed,” the centre officials said.

The officials added that 12-13 students, including women, had reported late and tried to jump the compound to gain forcible entry. “The policemen deployed for security purpose were made witness while locking the gate. The issue was reported to the higher authorities,” they said.

Countering the officials, aspirants said there was a mix up and many of them were standing outside the gate at Shankar Nagar. The school had three entry points and the main gate on the southern end was kept open for examinees. The other two were shut. “We had come on time but we were under the impression that the gate on Shankar Nagar Square would be opened. Later, someone told us that the entry was from back side,” they said.

The aspirants said their chances of finding employment this year are in jeopardy now. “The exam is held only once a year and in case there is any vacancy, we won’t be able to apply,” they said.

MAHATET score is required to apply for teaching post from Standard I to VIII. The second shift exam is for those aiming the high school posts.

In the afternoon, the centre officials had a tough time managing the unruly aspirants who demanded that they be allowed inside despite reporting late. Some of them shot videos that went viral on the social media and education groups.

Videos and tweets from across the state suggested that the issue of late entry was witnessed at other places too.