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Opposition to the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers has intensified across Andhra Pradesh, with several teacher organisations launching protests and announcing fresh programmes to pressure the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led state government to intervene with the Union government.
The Andhra Pradesh United Teachers’ Federation (APUTF) has announced an indefinite hunger strike from September 4 at Alankar Centre in Vijayawada. APUTF president N Venkateswarlu and general secretary KSS Prasad said the decision followed several unsuccessful attempts to persuade Andhra HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and senior officials to address their concerns.
The federation wants the government to seek an amendment to Section 23(1) of the Right to Education Act to provide relief to teachers appointed before TET was made compulsory. Section 23(1) deals with basic eligibility and minimum academic requirements needed for teacher appointments.
APUTF has also sought a 40% qualifying mark for in-service teachers, permission to take the examination in the subjects they teach, changes to National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) guidelines and an offline examination system.
The Andhra Pradesh Teachers’ Federation (APTF), meanwhile, continued its demonstration at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada for the second consecutive day, demanding an offline Special TET for serving teachers.
APTF State general secretary K Basava Linga Rao questioned the rationale behind requiring teachers with decades of service to clear an eligibility examination. He also alleged that incorrect information was being presented to the HRD Minister and warned that the protests could be expanded into a joint agitation by various teacher organisations if the government failed to respond.
