Noida: Over 2,000 govt school teachers launched a three-day protest on Monday against the mandatory teacher eligibility test (TET), wearing black bands while continuing their regular duties, including teaching, exam invigilation and booth level officer (BLO) work.At a joint meeting of the teachers’ unions under the Teachers Federation of India in the district, teachers announced a phased protest plan. On Feb 22, teachers hosted a social media hashtag campaign, which is being followed by the black-band demonstration from Feb 23-25. On Feb 26, teachers plan to hold a large protest outside the district magistrate’s office, where they will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the district administration.Last year, the Supreme Court had issued a directive stating that all teachers, including those already appointed or promoted, must clear the TET within 2 years. Teachers said the decision unfairly targeted experienced staff who met all eligibility requirements at the time of their recruitment, particularly those appointed before 2011.The ongoing agitation followed similar protests held in the district in Sept last year. Officials said that the memorandum submitted during earlier demonstrations was received by the district administration.“The order is anti-teacher. Recruitment before 2011 followed due eligibility and entrance examinations. Imposing TET retrospectively is unjustified and ignores the service of experienced teachers,” said Praveen Sharma, district president of the teachers association.Sharma added that the rule could create uncertainty for thousands of educators and their families.Teachers taking part in the protest described the mandate as a ‘black law’ that could threaten livelihoods. “Govt policy should protect teachers, not push them into insecurity. Forcing TET now will prove fatal for many families,” Sharma said.Echoing the sentiment, Gajan Bhati, another teacher, said that educators already fulfilled eligibility criteria during recruitment and that forcing TET now went against established rules.
