Jashpur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has assured teachers that no teacher will lose their job because of the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), while also promising to examine the long-standing issue of salary disparity among assistant teachers.
The assurance came during a late-night meeting between the Chief Minister and a delegation of the Chhattisgarh Assistant Teacher Samagra Shikshak Federation in Jashpur.
The delegation raised several pending issues concerning the teaching community, with particular focus on the mandatory nature of TET, the requirement of TET for promotions and the disparity in salaries among assistant teachers.
No Teacher Will Lose Job Due to TET: CM
One of the major concerns raised by the teachers was the possibility that the mandatory TET requirement could result in job losses for teachers who are unable to clear the examination.
The delegation expressed apprehension that a large number of serving teachers could face uncertainty over their employment because of the requirement.
Responding to the concern, Chief Minister Sai categorically assured the delegation that no teacher would lose their job due to TET.
He said the state government is working on making the necessary arrangements to support such teachers and help them qualify the examination.
The assurance is expected to provide relief to teachers who have been worried about the implications of the mandatory eligibility test on their existing employment.
Chhattisgarh Studying TET Models of Other States
During the discussion, Chief Minister Sai also said that the Chhattisgarh government is examining the systems followed by other states with regard to TET.
He specifically mentioned Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, saying that the government is studying the arrangements implemented there.
If a practical and workable solution is found in these states, Chhattisgarh could also consider adopting a similar mechanism, depending on its suitability to the state’s requirements.
The move indicates that the government is exploring options to address the concerns of serving teachers while maintaining the eligibility requirements associated with TET.
Salary Disparity Among Assistant Teachers Raised
The delegation also strongly raised the issue of salary disparity among assistant teachers, which has remained a long-standing demand of the teaching community.
Jashpur District President Ajay Kumar Gupta apprised the Chief Minister of the concerns of assistant teachers and urged the government to take concrete steps to resolve the pay-related anomaly.
According to the federation, assistant teachers have been consistently seeking a solution to the disparity in their salaries and have been approaching the government regarding the matter.
The federation also pointed out that addressing the salary disparity forms part of the government’s ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ commitments.
CM Assures Action on Salary Issue
Chief Minister Sai assured the delegation that he would discuss the salary-disparity issue with the concerned officials.
He indicated that necessary steps would be taken towards finding a solution to the matter.
The assurance has raised expectations among assistant teachers, who have been waiting for a resolution to the issue for a considerable period.
The federation said it expects the government and the concerned department to move forward on the issue following the Chief Minister’s assurance.
Female Teachers Tie Raksha Sutra to CM
An emotional moment during the meeting came when female teachers from Jashpur district tied a ‘Raksha Sutra’, or protective thread, to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Through the gesture, the teachers conveyed their expectations regarding their service, safety and protection of the interests of the teaching community.
The teachers said that educators across Chhattisgarh are performing their duties with responsibility and dedication and expressed hope that the government would take positive decisions concerning their future and service-related issues.
The Chief Minister listened to their concerns and assured them of positive action on issues affecting the interests of teachers.
Federation Office-Bearers Attend Meeting
The delegation was led by Federation State Coordinator Manish Mishra and Jashpur District President Ajay Kumar Gupta.
Several provincial office-bearers were also present, including Kaushal Awasthi, Ashwani Kurre, Tikeshwar Bhoi, Aditya Gaurav Sahu and Dinesh Nayak.
Block presidents and teacher representatives from different blocks of Jashpur district also participated in the meeting.
The delegation collectively presented the concerns of assistant teachers and other members of the teaching community before the Chief Minister.
Teachers Await Government Action
The assurances given by Chief Minister Sai have generated fresh expectations among teachers across Chhattisgarh, particularly on the issues of TET, promotions and salary anomalies.
The federation said it would now closely monitor the action taken by the state government and the concerned department following the meeting.
The organisation also reiterated that it would continue to raise teachers’ demands through democratic and constitutional means.
The immediate focus of the teaching community is expected to remain on the government’s next steps regarding the mandatory TET requirement, arrangements to help serving teachers qualify the examination, promotion-related TET requirements and the long-pending salary disparity among assistant teachers.
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