Gujarat Teachers Protest Supreme Court TET Rule

GANDHINAGAR :  A fresh confrontation is brewing between teachers and the government after the Supreme Court made the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for teachers to continue in service and secure promotions. The verdict has sparked widespread resentment, with thousands of teachers from across Gujarat converging on Gandhinagar on Saturday, demanding exemption for those appointed before 2010 and warning that the protest could soon reach the national capital.

The demonstration, attended by teachers from Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and several other districts, saw protesters raising slogans against what they termed an “unfair burden” on experienced educators who have served the education system for years.

The teachers argue that making the TET compulsory for those recruited before 2010 is unjust, as they entered service under different recruitment rules and have already proved their competence through years of classroom experience.

“Our demand is simple. Teachers appointed before 2010 should be permanently exempted from the TET examination,” said teacher leader Bahadurbhai Bhuriya during the protest.

Another protest leader, Rasoolbhai Sangada, said the agitation extends beyond the TET issue.

“We are also demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme for teachers recruited after April 1, 2005, along with other long-pending service benefits. The government must initiate dialogue instead of ignoring teachers’ concerns,” he said.

Apart from seeking exemption from the TET requirement, the teachers have demanded separate higher-grade pay for teachers handling Classes 6 to 8 based on their responsibilities and withdrawal of additional administrative charges assigned to HTAT principals.

The protesters warned that if the Gujarat government fails to take a positive decision soon, the agitation will intensify and be taken to Delhi.

The protest follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that reinforces the importance of teacher eligibility standards in ensuring quality education. However, teacher associations maintain that the judgment should not be applied retrospectively to experienced educators already serving in schools.

With a large gathering in the state capital, police deployed tight security around the protest venue to maintain law and order.