Andhra teacher unions escalate stir against retrospective TET rule

Teacher unions in Andhra Pradesh have escalated their agitation against the requirement of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service educators. After multiple representations to the state government failed to produce a favourable outcome, unions have moved their protests to the streets across several districts.

The core demand is relief for teachers who were appointed before TET became a mandatory qualification. Unions argue that applying the requirement retrospectively is unfair to experienced staff who joined under the rules that were in force at the time of their appointment. They are also seeking a relaxation in qualifying marks and changes to the examination pattern for serving teachers.

The Andhra Pradesh United Teachers’ Federation (APUTF) has announced an indefinite hunger strike beginning September 4. Federation president N. Venkateswarlu and general secretary K.S.S. Prasad stated the decision followed unsuccessful representations to HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and senior department officials.

The federation is urging the government to press the Centre to amend Section 23(1) of the Right to Education Act. Other demands include fixing the qualifying mark for in-service teachers at 40 percent, allowing teachers to take exams in the subjects they teach, amending relevant NCTE guidelines, and conducting the test in offline mode. The hunger strike is set to begin at Alankar Centre in Vijayawada, with warnings of intensified action if talks are not initiated.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Teachers’ Federation (APTF) continued its protest at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada, where a demonstration demanding an offline Special TET entered its second day. APTF general secretary K. Basava Linga Rao questioned the logic of subjecting teachers with up to three decades of service to an eligibility test, noting that similar examinations are not imposed on professionals in other sectors. He reiterated the demand for a 40 percent qualifying mark and asserted that state governments have the authority to determine pass marks for reserved categories. Rao also alleged that inaccurate information was being conveyed to the HRD Minister and warned of a larger joint agitation if the issue remains unresolved.

In a separate move, the Andhra Pradesh Primary Teachers’ Association (APPTA) has called on teachers across the state to wear black badges while on duty on Teachers’ Day. APPTA president Kaki Prakash Rao and general secretary M.G. Mehdi said the symbolic protest is intended to highlight the continued demand for the withdrawal of the TET requirement for in-service teachers.