Punjab Teachers' Union Escalates Protest Against Mandatory TET Exam
The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), Punjab, has declared a significant escalation in its ongoing agitation against the state government's decision to implement an in-service Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). The announcement came during a crucial state committee meeting held on Tuesday, where leaders expressed deep frustration over what they describe as the government's failure to honor commitments made to the teaching community.
Government Accused of Breaking Promises
At the meeting, which was conducted under the leadership of state president Vikram Dev Singh, DTF officials strongly criticized the government's approach. The organization has labeled the test as a "forced imposition" and accused the administration of using a Supreme Court ruling as justification while allegedly reneging on earlier assurances.
DTF state general secretary Mahendra Kaurwali provided specific details about the broken promises. "The Punjab government had previously committed to filing a review petition regarding the TET issue and bringing a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha," Kaurwali stated. "However, they have failed to act on either of these demands, effectively cheating teachers who trusted their assurances."
Protest Actions and Boycott Announcement
Following extensive deliberations, the DTF state committee made several decisive resolutions regarding their protest strategy:
- Boycott of April 19 Examination: The organization has called for a complete boycott of the in-service TET examination scheduled for April 19. DTF members are urged to abstain from participating in the test as a form of protest.
- District-Level Protests: The union announced its participation in district-level effigy-burning protests scheduled for April 6 and 7. These demonstrations are aimed at highlighting what they term as the education minister's breach of promise.
- Major March Planned: A significant protest march titled 'Vaada Khilafi March' will be organized on April 11. Participants will march toward the chief minister's residence in Sangrur to voice their opposition to the government's alleged backtracking on TET-related commitments.
Call for Unity Among Teaching Community
The DTF has issued a strong appeal for solidarity within the teaching profession. The organization is urging all teachers—regardless of whether they are TET-qualified or non-TET—to unite and participate actively in the protest movement. This inclusive approach aims to demonstrate widespread opposition to the government's policy.
Furthermore, the DTF has extended an invitation to other teachers' organizations across Punjab to join their protest march on April 11. This collaborative effort seeks to amplify their collective voice and increase pressure on the state administration to reconsider its position on the in-service TET requirement.
The escalating tension between Punjab's teaching community and the state government highlights ongoing concerns about teacher certification processes and the implementation of educational reforms. As the protest actions unfold throughout April, all eyes will be on how the administration responds to these growing demands from educators across the state.
