Ranchi: Held after a decade-long gap, the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET) was more than a qualifying test for many candidates. It was a long-awaited opportunity after years of uncertainty over teacher recruitment.Outside examination centres in Ranchi, women candidates revised notes until the last minute as their husbands cared for young children. The scenes highlighted how preparing for the exam had become a family effort for many women balancing studies and childcare.Jamshedpur’s Susmita Paul appeared at a centre in Ranchi while her husband looked after their two-year-old child. She said she had prepared diligently for two years after the exam was announced.“Although it’s been a challenging journey, my in-laws and husband supported me thoroughly. As a result, I could perform to my expectations. Now, I just hope the recruitment process remains transparent and fair so that I can fulfil my dream,” she told TOI after the exam.At several centres, family members appeared for JTET together, reflecting the long wait for a chance to enter the teaching profession.Sisters Pratima and Anju, from Bihar’s Saharsa, took the test at Zila School. They said they were able to attempt most questions.“Although JTET was conducted after a decade, we are happy that the exam was finally held and that we could perform well. The questions were easy to moderate. Apart from the language paper, we did not face any major difficulty,” they said.Several contractual teachers in their late 50s also appeared for the test. At another school, a 55-year-old teacher took the exam alongside his daughter, son-in-law and son.“I will retire in 2030. Had the exam been held regularly, many candidates like me would not have had to wait so long,” he said, expressing hope that all his four family members would clear it.
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