Ranchi: Jharkhand's primary school teachers have announced an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi from October 22 to protest the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement for teachers appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The decision was taken by the All Jharkhand Primary Teachers' Association during its state executive committee meeting. The teachers' organisation has demanded that the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly pass a resolution seeking exemption from the TET requirement and forward it to the Central government for consideration.
Around 25,000 teachers affected
According to the teachers' association, around 25,000 teachers in Jharkhand could be affected by the Supreme Court's decision regarding the TET requirement. The teachers' organisation has expressed concern over the possible impact of the order on the continuation of their service.
The controversy follows the Supreme Court's September 1, 2025 judgment, which held that TET is one of the minimum qualifications prescribed under the RTE Act for teachers in schools covered by the Act. The Court subsequently extended the deadline for eligible in-service teachers to acquire the qualification to August 31, 2028.
Teachers seek Assembly resolution
The teachers' association has urged the Jharkhand government to follow the example of Tamil Nadu, where a resolution was passed seeking relief for teachers affected by the Supreme Court's order.
The association has also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and plans to meet the state's ministers to present its demands. Teachers are seeking a legislative intervention so that the matter can be taken up with the Central government.
Hunger strike planned in Ranchi
The association has said that it will continue efforts to resolve the matter through discussions with the state government. However, if its demands are not addressed, teachers will begin an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi from October 22.
The proposed protest is expected to intensify the ongoing debate over the application of TET requirements to teachers appointed before the RTE Act came into force. The issue has also led to protests and demands for relief from teacher organisations in other parts of the country.
For now, the teachers' association is seeking a formal response from the Jharkhand government and legislative action on the issue before the proposed hunger strike begins.
