Punjab Teacher Unions Announce Major State-Level Protest Over Mandatory Testing Policy
A coalition of fifteen teacher unions has declared a mass state-level protest scheduled for February 22 in Anandpur Sahib, significantly escalating a prolonged and contentious standoff with the Punjab government. The dispute centers on a controversial directive mandating veteran educators to pass the State Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to qualify for promotions.
Democratic Teachers' Front Leads Charge Against AAP Government Directive
The Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) is spearheading the opposition against an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government policy that withholds promotions for teachers recruited before 2011 who have not cleared the TET. By organizing the rally in the constituency of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, union leaders intend to pressure the administration into reversing what they describe as an "unjust" and "retrospective" implementation of policy.
The 2011 'Cut-Off' Conflict at the Heart of the Dispute
The core of the conflict revolves around guidelines established by the Right to Education Act in 2011. The DTF contends that the government is unfairly applying contemporary standards to educators who were hired under a completely different merit-based system. Teachers employed before the inaugural TET was conducted in Punjab argue they fulfilled all legal requirements at their time of appointment.
Following a Supreme Court judgment, the Punjab education department now insists that clearing the TET is an essential prerequisite for career advancement, irrespective of seniority. DTF leadership, including State President Vikram Dev Singh, has resolved that committee members and district officials will refuse to sit for the examination, advocating for a comprehensive boycott by all veteran staff members.
Allegations of 'Selective' Legal Action by State Government
Teacher unions have accused the state government of "high-handedness," alleging that the administration promptly enforces court rulings that disadvantage employees while delaying "worker-friendly" mandates. The DTF has highlighted several unfulfilled promises, including:
- Equal pay for equal work, particularly parity for long-serving staff
- Delays in implementing Punjab pay scales for recruits hired after July 17, 2020
- Failure to grant full salary during mandatory probation periods
Government Urged to Advocate for Policy Modification
The DTF is calling upon the Punjab government to transition from passive compliance to active advocacy, demanding that the state formally petition to modify the Supreme Court ruling to exempt pre-2011 recruits from the testing requirement. "These teachers were selected on merit and have served for over a decade," stated General Secretary Mahinder Korian Wali. "Imposing this condition at the promotion stage now is unreasonable and legally flawed."
The union has issued a stern warning to the government, indicating that the February 22 rally represents merely the initial phase of a broader campaign of civil disobedience if the administration fails to clarify its stance and provide immediate relief for educators awaiting promotion.
