THE teachers’ agitation against the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) intensified at Neelam Park in Bhopal, with the indefinite dharna set to enter its third day on Tuesday. Organised by the Madhya Pradesh Adhyapak Shikshak Sanyukt Morcha, the protest began on September 27. On Monday, teachers from the Jabalpur division joined in large numbers as part of a phased, divisionwise rotational strategy, with more divisions expected in the coming days. Teachers said that they have been agitating for six months on TET and eight years for service-related benefits without any concrete response from the government. asserted that the rotational sit-in will continue until dialogue is established.

 

Three demands remain at the core of the agitation: 1. TET Exemption: Longserving teachers appointed before TET norms came into force should be exempted. The Morcha has demanded a special Assembly session to pass a resolution and forward it to the Centre. 2. Service from First Appointment: Seniority, pension and gratuity must be calculated from the date of first appointment. 3. Voluntary EAttendance: The compulsory e-attendance system, which teachers say treats them like criminals and causes harassment, should be made voluntary. In a major escalation, Government teachers have announced a complete boycott of TET forms and threatened a statewide school shutdown if demands are ignored. Over 20,000 forms have been filled so far, of which only 5% are from government teachers. The Morcha has also announced a fast on October 2.