Punjab Teachers' Unions Announce 'Betrayal March' to Chief Minister's Residence
In a significant development, three prominent teachers' organizations in Punjab have declared that preparations are complete for a major protest action they are calling a 'betrayal march'. The march is scheduled to proceed towards Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence in Sangrur on April 11, 2026. This mobilization comes as a direct response to what the unions describe as the Punjab government's "failure" to honor key commitments made to the teaching community.
Unified Front of Teachers' Organizations
The decision to organize this large-scale protest was reached during a joint meeting involving three influential teacher groups. The participating organizations include:
- The Democratic Teachers Front, led by State President Vikramdev Singh.
- Another faction of the Democratic Teachers Front, headed by Digvijay Pal Sharma.
- The Government Physical Education Teachers Association Punjab, under the leadership of State President Jagdish Kumar Jaggi.
These bodies have resolved to conduct the protest march collectively and have issued a public appeal for other teacher associations and educational bodies across the state to join their demonstration, signaling a broad-based discontent within the teaching fraternity.
Core Grievances and Allegations of Broken Promises
The teachers' unions have outlined three primary areas where they accuse the Punjab government of reneging on its assurances, leading to the planned "vaada khilafi march" (promise betrayal march).
1. Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Conditions: The leaders stated that the agitation will specifically continue against tests being imposed on teachers, which they claim cite a Supreme Court ruling. They allege that Punjab's Education Minister had previously assured that a review petition would be filed against the TET-related requirement and that a Bill addressing the issue would be introduced in the State Assembly. According to the unions, neither of these steps has been taken, constituting a "breach of promise" with educators.
2. National Education Policy 2020: The organizations further highlighted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had assured that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 would not be implemented in Punjab. Instead, the state would formulate its own distinct education policy. They noted that the Punjab Cabinet even passed a resolution on September 5, 2024, supporting this position. However, the teachers now allege that elements of the NEP 2020 are being surreptitiously implemented in the state, contradicting the government's earlier stance.
3. Old Pension Scheme Restoration: Another critical issue raised is the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The unions claim that an incomplete notification regarding the OPS restoration was issued but never properly implemented. They assert that the necessary Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was not released, and General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts for teachers have not been opened as required, leaving the pension promise unfulfilled.
Protest Details and Rationale
According to the official announcement, a state-level gathering of teachers will be convened on April 11, 2026. Following this assembly, the participants will embark on the "betrayal march" towards the chief minister's official residence in Sangrur to voice their grievances directly.
The teacher leaders have strongly argued that educators are already subject matter experts and should not be subjected to additional tests to prove their competence. They deem such examinations as unnecessary and potentially linked to policy measures outlined in the National Education Policy 2020. These include a tenure-track system and testing mechanisms tied to promotions and annual salary increments, which the unions oppose.
This planned protest underscores deepening tensions between the Punjab government and its teaching workforce over long-pending demands and perceived unkept political promises. The mobilization indicates a coordinated effort to apply public pressure on the administration ahead of the 2026 protest date.
