The school service commission has proposed to hold the teacher eligibility test (TET) to recruit upper primary school teachers (Class VI-VIII) on August 16.

The final date depends on the availability of police. "The school education department would talk to the state administration about it," a commission official said.

"Once the matter is resolved, the date would be announced formally."

Several days ago the commission had announced through a circular that TET could be held on August 30. But at a meeting last Saturday, the education department had asked the commission to hold the test before August 30.

It also asked the West Bengal Primary Education Board to hold TET on August 30 for recruitment at primary schools.

If the test is held on August 16, it means the commission would be holding it after three years. The last TET was held in July 2012.

A proposal to hold the exam in March 2014 was stayed by the court after an aspiring candidate filed a PIL accusing the commission of trying to appoint teachers without professional training.

This April, the HRD ministry allowed the state to recruit candidates without professional training for primary and upper primary schools. The ministry's letter had reached Nabanna on April 8.

The "relaxation" means candidates without a BEd degree or a diploma in elementary education can take the TET. An education department official said such candidates without professional qualification would have to obtain the degree/diploma within two years of taking up a job.