Teachers gherao ETO’s house over eligibility test mandate

The Supreme Court mandating the Teacher Eligibility Test for educators to get promotions has caused a nationwide stir. In Punjab, teacher unions on Monday gheraoed the residence of several AAP ministers — including Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO.

Concerns have emerged among lakhs of teachers, who will now need to pass the test to keep their jobs.

The protest held at ETO’s residence saw Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) members handing over a demand letter addressed to CM Bhagwant Mann, calling for a Bill or resolution to be passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to secure the future of teachers in this regard.

Teachers have also sought the filing of a review petition by the state government against what they call an “unreasonable decision” by the Supreme Court.

DTF members, including district head Ashwani Awasthi, said the Supreme Court, “ignoring” a notification of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) issued in this regard, had imposed the TET mandate on all teachers.

“Neither has the Punjab Government — including the Chief Minister and the Education Minister — filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against this unconstitutional decision, nor have the teachers been given relief by way of a Vidhan Sabha Bill. Some categories were exempted from the TET mandate for promotions, as per an official letter issued in 2017. Now, that letter has been withdrawn by the Education Department of the Punjab Government, and promotions of such teachers have been stopped,” Awasthi said.

Previously, teachers’ organisations had held a massive protest on February 22 in the Education Minister’s constituency, Anandpur Sahib, after which a meeting was scheduled with the minister on February 27.

“But the minister postponed the meeting, signalling a lack of intent in resolving the matter. Most teachers in service have been appointed in accordance with the qualification requirements determined by the NCTE before the implementation of TET. Teachers recruited before or in 2011 (when the TET was introduced) have — from time to time — cleared all requirements for promotions. Several state governments are in talks with teacher unions in this regard, but the Punjab Government has been stalling the issue,” said teacher and DTF member Germanjit Singh.

Teachers have been up in arms over the issue since the decision was taken by the apex court last year.

Jobs safe, says Education Minister

Education Minister Harjot Bains has assured teachers that their jobs are safe. “No one will lose their job. The Punjab Government stands firmly with its teachers,” he had said at a press conference in Chandigarh.

Bains had added that he was in constant touch with teachers’ unions, and was exploring all legal options in this regard.