Government employees in Andhra Pradesh have already taken to the streets against the Coalition Government, and now government teachers have intensified their protest. Demanding exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers, teachers under the banner of the United Teachers Federation (UTF) staged a large-scale protest in Mangalagiri.
Teachers Mobilise in Large Numbers in Mangalagiri
The UTF had called for the siege of Vidya Bhavan in Mangalagiri. Following the call, a large number of teachers from different parts of the state arrived in Mangalagiri to participate in the protest.
The protesting teachers raised slogans against the government and expressed their opposition to the mandatory TET requirement for in-service teachers. They raised slogans such as, “Will you cancel TET? Will Lokesh resign?”, intensifying the political tone of the protest.
Police Detain Protesters
Police personnel prevented the teachers from proceeding towards Vidya Bhavan. Several protesters were forcibly detained and taken away in police vehicles.
Objecting to the police action, the teachers sat on the road and continued their protest. The confrontation between the protesters and police led to tension in several parts of Mangalagiri.
UTF Demands TET Exemption for In-Service Teachers
The UTF is demanding that all in-service teachers be exempted from the TET requirement.
The teachers’ organisation has also put forward several other demands, including:
- A uniform qualifying mark system for all in-service teachers.
- Teachers should be allowed to take the TET in the subject they currently teach.
- The TET should be conducted in offline mode.
- The government should resolve the issues concerning in-service teachers at the earliest.
UTF leaders said that their agitation would continue until the government addresses their demands.
Over 1,000 Teachers Detained, Protesters Claim
According to the protesting teachers, more than 1,000 teachers have so far been detained by the police while attempting to prevent the siege of Vidya Bhavan.
The detained teachers were reportedly taken to various police stations. The large-scale detentions have further intensified the confrontation between the teachers and the authorities.
Tension Escalates in Mangalagiri
The teachers’ protest and the police action have created a tense atmosphere in Mangalagiri. The protesting teachers have urged the government to respond positively to their demands and initiate discussions with their representatives.
The agitation has also drawn attention to growing dissatisfaction among sections of the teaching community over the TET requirement for in-service teachers.
DSC Controversy Adds to Pressure on Education Department
The latest teachers’ protest comes at a time when the Education Department is already facing criticism over the DSC-2025 recruitment process.
DSC aspirants have been staging protests in various forms, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. They have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh and sought a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities.
With in-service teachers now also protesting over the implementation of TET, pressure on the Education Department has increased further.
Government Employees Also on Agitation Path
Meanwhile, government employees have also launched protests demanding the resolution of their long-pending issues. They are seeking the immediate implementation of promises made during the elections.
The simultaneous protests by government employees and teachers against the Coalition Government have become a major political development in Andhra Pradesh.
With employees and teachers raising their demands on different fronts, the government is facing mounting pressure to address their grievances and fulfil its electoral commitments.
