APTF stages protests across A.P. seeking TET exemption for in-service teachers

The Andhra Pradesh Teachers Federation (APTF) organized protests across district headquarters demanding an exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers. In Kurnool, APTF State president G. Hrudaya Raju questioned the necessity of requiring teachers with over two decades of experience to retake the TET, arguing that it was unjust to subject experienced in-service teachers to the same eligibility test under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

He called for the Centre and State government to amend the law and exempt in-service teachers from the TET requirement. Raju highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government had already passed a resolution seeking the cancellation of TET and urged the Andhra Pradesh government to do the same and push for an amendment to the RTE Act in Parliament.

In Nellore, APTF State general secretary S. Chiranjeevi demanded that the pass mark for all candidates taking the Special TET be set at 40% until TET was cancelled. He also proposed revising the examination syllabus to ensure questions focused solely on the subjects taught by the teachers, and conducting the exam offline. Chiranjeevi urged Education Minister Nara Lokesh to convene a special meeting with teacher associations to discuss the issue and find a resolution, warning that if the government failed to address their concerns, all teacher organizations would unite to take joint action.

APTF leaders reported similar protests in multiple districts, with participation from local leaders and officials. APTF State committee reiterated its demand for the government to engage with teacher organizations and address the concerns of in-service teachers regarding TET.