Punjab Teachers Intensify Protest Against In-Service TET Requirement, Boycott Call Issued

Teachers in Punjab have stepped up their opposition to the state government’s decision to mandate an in-service Teacher Eligibility Test, announcing a boycott of the examination scheduled later this month. The protest, led by teacher unions, has now widened into a coordinated campaign with demonstrations planned across districts.

At the centre of the dispute is the requirement that serving teachers must clear the eligibility test, a condition many argue alters the terms under which they were originally appointed. Union representatives maintain that the move places an additional burden on experienced educators and undermines earlier assurances given by the government.

The state, on its part, has defended the policy as a measure to standardise teaching quality and align with national benchmarks. Officials have indicated that periodic assessment is necessary to ensure accountability within the school system.

The standoff reflects a familiar tension between reform and acceptance on the ground. While the intent to raise standards is rarely contested, the manner of implementation often determines its success. With the boycott call in place, the immediate challenge for the administration lies in managing both the examination process and the broader discontent among its teaching workforce.