Teachers urge Centre to soften impact of Supreme Court TET ruling

Representatives of the All India Joint Action Committee of Teachers’ Organisations have pressed the central government for immediate measures to address the fallout from a Supreme Court order that requires in-service teachers appointed before the Right to Education Act took effect to clear the Teachers’ Eligibility Test within two years or risk losing their positions. The directive, issued in September, could affect about 30 lakh educators nationwide.

On Friday, a delegation led by committee leaders met Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament and submitted a detailed memorandum. They asked for protection of jobs for senior teachers and suggested legislative changes if required to shield long-serving staff. They also proposed easing the TET syllabus and lowering qualifying marks to make compliance more feasible for experienced teachers.

Delegates argued that uncertainty over the ruling has caused widespread anxiety among teachers and noted large gatherings in the national capital, including demonstrations at Jantar Mantar by union members calling for relief. Leaders told the minister that many educators feel their decades of service are being disregarded by the retrospective application of the eligibility requirement.

In addition to concerns over the TET order, the group raised other education sector issues, including demands to repeal the Contributory Pension Scheme, ensure minimum wages for contract staff, and revisit aspects of the National Education Policy that they contend undermine public schooling.

The delegation also held discussions with Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on the challenges posed by the court’s judgment and strategies for legislative or policy responses.