Govind Tekale
Teachers in Chhattisgarh are pushing back against new rules that tie job promotions to the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). The protest has gained momentum as thousands gathered in Ambikapur for a “Mukti Maha Rally” against the requirement, with concerns spreading to other districts like Durg and Bhilai.
The core issue is that teachers worry about losing advancement opportunities. When Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai met with representatives from the Chhattisgarh Sahayak Shikshak Samagra Shikshak Federation, he assured them that no teacher’s job would be lost due to TET requirements. The government is working on coaching programs to help teachers prepare for the exam and studying how Madhya Pradesh and Odisha handled similar situations. This comes amid broader discussions about education standards across India, including concerns highlighted in Australia where a teachers’ agreement addressed wages and workplace conditions.
The rally in Ambikapur drew thousands of teachers, particularly from the Sarguja district. The procession moved from Kala Kendra through the Collector’s Office to the District Education Officer’s office. Teachers listed specific demands: removing TET from promotion criteria, starting a bridge program for Bachelor of Education degrees, fixing inconsistencies in recruitment rules from February 13, 2026, counting years worked before formal teacher training toward pension benefits, and establishing central-level pay scales for all teachers.
Another major concern is wage disparity among teachers. When Ajay Kumar Gupta raised this issue with the Chief Minister, the government assured a resolution. The government’s commitment to coaching and studying other states’ models suggests they’re taking the issue seriously, though no specific timeline has been provided for implementing changes.
In Durg division, teachers waiting for pending promotions submitted a formal memorandum to the Joint Director. They demanded that promotion proposals be released immediately, Departmental Promotion Committee proposals for vacant positions be expedited, and a promotion counseling schedule be announced. These practical demands reflect how bureaucratic delays create frustration beyond just the TET policy itself. Similar education challenges are seen in other states, where distance and dropout rates remain pressing concerns.
Kamalesh Singh, representing the District Sangh, warned that if no satisfactory solution emerges soon, protests will intensify. Teachers tied Rakhi on Rakshabandhan, the traditional festival honoring family bonds, turning a cultural moment into a symbol of their demand for job security and recognition.
