Faulty server hits TET candidates
Avneet Kaur
Jalandhar, December 26
Over 100 qualified teachers and students were unable to fill their forms of Punjab State Teacher eligibility Test (PSTET) and deposit fee in the banks due to a technical fault in the government website as well as problem in the server which made candidates stand in long queues at the bank for long hours.
Sahil kalia, who is appearing for the test, alleged, “I had been standing outside the bank since 8 in the morning as I knew the queue would increase later. Due to problem in server, there was great commotion.”
Besides providing just 15 days for the preparation, the duration of the exam has been reduced to just 1 hour and 30 minutes, which was earlier 2 hours and 30 minutes. How can a student attempt 150 questions in just 90 minutes, he asked.
Another student, Mandeep Singh from the city, appearing for the exam, says, “Only 15 days have been given in which we have to fill the forms, complete all bank formalities and also prepare for the exam. In 15 days, we cannot even go through the syllabus, and now much time is being wasted standing outside the banks due to technical snags. The state government’s actions it does not want the candidates to clear the exam.”
Condemning the state government’s decision to conduct the exam at such short notice, leader of the Education Grant Scheme (EGS) Teacher Union Nishant Kumar said, “Though the examination is scheduled on December 31, the last date for registration is today. Moreover, the date was announced on December 17 to which just 15 days were given in all for filling the form as well for preparation.”
But owing to a technical snag and three bank holidays, over 100 candidates were unable to able to fill their forms. There were long queues of candidates standing outside the banks at Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur as well as Bathinda.
Inderjeet Singh, Director Public Instructions (DPI) elementary said, “We had received complaints from the candidates and we do understand their concern. We are in contact with the senior officials and we have decided to extend the date for registration.”
