Agartala, January 30
TET-qualified candidates in Tripura those aspiring government teachers on Friday staged a protest in front of the Education Department at Shiksha Bhavan, demanding immediate recruitment in elementary schools.
The demonstrators, comprising TET 2024 qualified candidates and elementary education teacher aspirants, gathered from different parts of the state, alleging prolonged inaction by the government despite an acute shortage of teachers in government-run schools.
According to the protesters, a four-member delegation was proposed to meet the Director of the Elementary Education Department to place their demands. However, even after waiting for several hours, they were not allowed to meet any senior official. Following this, a large number of candidates assembled in front of the directorate building and raised slogans seeking justice and clarity on their recruitment.
The candidates expressed serious concern over what they described as government negligence, stating that elementary schools across Tripura are facing a severe teacher crisis that is directly affecting the quality of basic education.
They pointed out that in early 2024, nearly 44,000 candidates appeared for the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET), but only 1,856 candidates—less than five percent—managed to qualify. Despite clearing the highly competitive examination, they alleged that no recruitment process has begun even after more than a year.
The protesters further claimed that, as per information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, there are around 4,100 vacant posts in elementary schools across the state. Yet, appointments have not been initiated, even as schools continue to function with severe staff shortages.
They alleged that protests by students and guardians demanding teachers have become a regular occurrence in several parts of the state, highlighting the worsening condition of elementary education.
Adding to their anxiety, many aspirants said that due to continuous delays, several qualified candidates are now on the verge of becoming overage, threatening to permanently shut the door on their government teaching careers.
The protesters also stated that earlier they had attempted to meet Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, who also holds the Elementary Education portfolio, but were allegedly detained by police, leaving them without any assurance regarding their future.
With no official response forthcoming, the candidates said they remain trapped in uncertainty, questioning why the government has remained inactive in recruiting qualified teachers even as government elementary schools continue to struggle with an acute teacher shortage.
