MONTHS back an advertisement for the posts of teachers of various designations was published in newspapers. The criterion of selection, including academic qualifications, chosen for the first time and mentioned in the advertisement was the introduction of Education Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA ) test.

Marks obtained in that test combined with the marks allotted to a candidate’s academic performance were supposed to be the total score/merit of a candidate.

Thousands of candidates, both women and men, appeared at two different centres for the ETEA test, according to the schedule mentioned in the advertisement.

The introduction of the ETEA test, being mandatory, was/is opposed by a section of society in Charsadda -- a section with political affiliations which does not like the policy of merit policy for the obvious reasons readers know.

However, those who abhor favouritism, nepotism, and assigning a role to political influence and interference, (and who are the silent majority) have always supported the rule of merit in all public departments.

For months the merit list could not be prepared and got delayed. Now the merit list has been displayed, inviting any complaints from the candidates for correction of discrepancies and mistakes, if any, within one week.

My daughter, who appeared for the two posts of Theology teacher (TT), and Arabic teacher (AT), has stood 5th and 4th, respectively.

We are happy that all is not yet lost, and there is a silver lining at the horizon but we hear from reliable sources that this mandatory ETEA test as one of the criteria for the appointment of teachers in public schools in Charsadda in future has been done away with. If this is so, then it is clearly an attempt to stop competent and to allow incompetent candidates to reach public schools through the back doors of bribes, nepotism, and favouritism. Please do not stop this merit-based policy.

MOHAMMAD FAYYAZ Charsadda