A group of TET qualifiers in Agartala on Saturday sought recruitment at one go and highlighted a wider shortage of teachers in government schools in Tripura. The protesters said they have waited nearly two years and urged the government to complete recruitment without further delay.
Key Takeaways
- 1,856 TET qualifiers from TET-1 and TET-2 are seeking collective appointment to teaching posts.
- Protesters claim around 25,000 teacher vacancies exist in Tripura after large-scale retirements.
- Candidates allege that more than 400 schools have only one teacher, intensifying concerns over classroom staffing.
Candidates who cleared the 2024 Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) faced a police blockade while marching towards the residence of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday.
The protesters assembled in Agartala to demand the appointment of all eligible candidates. Police stopped the march near Town Hall.
The candidates said they have repeatedly approached the Tripura Teachers Recruitment Board, Education Department and Directorate of Elementary Education over the recruitment issue. They claimed that several rounds of deputations and protests have produced no satisfactory outcome.
1,856 TET Qualifiers Seek Appointment
The protesters said 1,856 candidates remain eligible after the TET-1 and TET-2 examination and verification processes.
They want the government to appoint all eligible candidates together. They said their demand does not involve any relaxation in examination standards or marks.
“We have gathered here with one demand. We want all of us to be appointed together,” a protester said.
The candidates also said many of them travelled from distant parts of the state to join the demonstration. Some came from Dharmanagar, while others travelled from Sabroom and Belonia.
After submitting their demands, the protesters said they wanted to return home. However, they alleged that police prevented them from leaving the area.
“They are saying they will arrest all of us and take us away,” a protester alleged.
Protesters Highlight Teacher Shortage
The recruitment demand has also brought the issue of teacher shortages into focus.
According to the protesters, thousands of teaching posts have become vacant across Tripura. They claimed around 15,000 teachers have retired, contributing to a total vacancy figure of nearly 25,000.
The protesters alleged that recruitment has so far covered only around 8,000 posts.
They questioned why eligible TET candidates have not received appointments despite the reported vacancies.
The candidates also pointed to staffing shortages at the school level. They claimed more than 400 schools across Tripura have only one teacher.
The shortage, they said, affects students in rural areas as well as urban centres.
Students Also Affected, Protester Claims
The protesters said the teacher shortage directly affects classroom learning.
They claimed children who should remain in classrooms are facing disruptions because schools do not have enough teachers.
A protester said students and guardians in different parts of the state have also taken to the streets demanding adequate teaching staff.
“Children who should be inside classrooms receiving education are coming onto the streets with their guardians and protesting for teachers,” the protester said.
The protesters argued that filling vacant posts would help address both the recruitment dispute and the shortage of teachers in schools.
Age Limit Adds Pressure
The prolonged recruitment process has created another concern for the candidates.
The protesters said around 20 to 25 candidates have already crossed the age of 40. They claimed several more candidates will reach the upper age limit within a short period.
They fear further delay could prevent some qualified candidates from applying for government jobs.
The candidates therefore want the recruitment process completed without further delay.
Candidates Say Demand Is Limited
The protesters stressed that they are not seeking changes to the TET examination criteria.
They said candidates cleared a competitive examination and subsequently underwent verification. Their demand, they said, is simply for recruitment against available teaching vacancies.
They also highlighted the financial pressure caused by the prolonged wait.
Many candidates have depended on private tuition while waiting for government employment. The protesters claimed that tuition opportunities have also become harder to find.
Demand for Regular Recruitment
The 2024 TET qualifiers have called for immediate completion of the recruitment process.
They also want the government to introduce regular teacher recruitment to prevent vacancies from accumulating.
The protesters said timely recruitment could help address unemployment while strengthening school-level teaching capacity.
For the candidates, the issue now goes beyond their individual employment. They argue that filling vacant teaching posts is also essential for students who continue to face staff shortages in schools across Tripura.
