Teachers Stage Major Protest Against TET and Education Policies in Delhi
In a significant demonstration of dissent, the Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) of Punjab and the Democratic School Teachers' Association of Haryana organized a large-scale protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Saturday. The rally was directed against the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and certain provisions of the National Education Policy 2020, drawing educators from across the nation to voice their collective opposition.
Protest Against Supreme Court Verdict and Policy Measures
The protest was coordinated following a call by the Teachers' Federation of India, specifically targeting the Supreme Court's ruling dated September 1, 2025, which mandates the retrospective implementation of TET. This legal decision has sparked widespread concern among teaching communities, who argue it imposes undue burdens and threatens job stability.
Addressing the assembled crowd, DTF Punjab state president Vikram Dev Singh called for the immediate withdrawal of what he termed an "unnecessary condition" of TET. He urged Parliament to pass suitable amendments to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, to eliminate this requirement. Singh also criticized the Centre's proposed "tenure track system" under the National Education Policy 2020, describing it as a measure that undermines job security for educators and demanding its revocation.
Concerns Over Privatization and Corporate Influence
Dharaminder Dhanda, Chairman of the Democratic School Teachers' Association, Haryana, also spoke at the event, highlighting apprehensions about the privatization-oriented approach embedded in the National Education Policy. He called for a complete rollback of the policy, arguing that it prioritizes corporate interests over educational welfare.
The leaders jointly condemned both central and state governments for advancing what they labeled as corporate-driven policies in the education sector, instead of addressing the "unjustified" TET mandate. They expressed solidarity with ongoing teacher struggles nationwide, emphasizing the need to protect education quality and teachers' rights from perceived erosions.
Announcement of Future Actions and Demands
In a move to escalate their campaign, the Democratic Teachers' Front, Punjab, announced plans to organize a "Vada Khilafi March" toward the chief minister's residence in Sangrur on April 11. This protest aims to highlight alleged unfulfilled promises by the Punjab government, including:
- Failure to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's TET verdict.
- Not passing a resolution in the Assembly opposing the TET mandate.
- Lack of formulation for a state-specific education policy.
- Non-implementation of the old pension scheme despite prior notification.
The protest underscores growing tensions in the education sector, with teachers advocating for policy reforms that ensure job security and resist what they view as detrimental privatization trends. As the movement gains momentum, it signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over educational governance and teacher welfare in India.
