Maharashtra witnessed the closure of more than 25,000 schools on Friday as teachers’ organizations launched statewide protests against numerous demands, including opposition to the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and new Sanch Manyata rules that oversee the approval and recruitment of teachers, according to the Hindustan Times.
Several unions held rallies in major cities, although the impact in Mumbai was limited, with only nine schools in Mumbai remaining closed. Around 13,216 teachers across the state were absent without permission, including 767 from the Mumbai division, according to data released by the education department.
Shikshak Bharati, led by Subhash More and former MLC Kapil Patil, staged a protest outside the deputy director’s office on Charni Road in the city. Meanwhile, Shikshak Sena organized a demonstration in Chembur led by MLC JM Abhyankar and the organization’s working president Jalindar Sarode.
Sanch Manyata rules
On March 15, 2024, the state education department issued a government resolution (GR) introducing the Sanch Manyata policy, which introduced group recognition of schools and banned allotment of teachers to schools with less than 20 students, the report said.
Teachers’ and non-teaching staff unions have expressed concern that the implementation of the new Sanch Manyata policy, due to be finalized on December 5, could result in thousands of teachers losing their jobs and the closure of hundreds of aided schools.
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According to local reports, the new teacher appointment policy could lead to the closure of nearly 18,000 schools and leave 20,000 to 25,000 teachers and administrative staff out of work. The organizations described the policy as “disruptive and harmful”, warning that it posed a serious threat to the future of government-supported education, especially in rural and hilly areas.
Union presidents argued that the policy, by restricting subject teachers for class 9 and 10 students, would negatively affect children, especially in disadvantaged areas.
Shamshuddin Attar, convenor of the Sindhudurg Principals’ Association, informed HT, “This move will force many children to travel 10-15 kilometers every day. We are against this move and have decided to challenge it in the Supreme Court.”
Attar said that while the high court clarified that no teacher would directly lose his job due to the Sanch Manyata policy, in reality students, especially in hilly and remote villages where schools are already struggling, would suffer.
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Meanwhile, Vijay Kombe, president of Maharashtra Rajya Prathamik Shikshak Samiti, was quoted as saying by HT, “The rule is unfair and compulsory TET for teachers who are nearing retirement is another big problem.”
Tanaji Kambale, president of the Maharashtra Progressive Teachers Association in Jogeshwari, added that compulsory exams are not necessary as experienced teachers already have a proven track record.
