Andhra Pradesh teachers call off hunger strike after CM pledges TET support

The hunger strike launched by a group of Andhra Pradesh teachers was called off on Thursday after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu gave a written assurance that the state would take concrete steps to help candidates clear the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), The Hindu reported. The protest, which began earlier this week, saw dozens of educators refusing food in front of the state secretariat, demanding that the government shoulder the responsibility of ensuring they could pass the exam.

The teachers, many of whom are already employed in government schools, said they were being asked to sit for the TET without adequate preparation material or coaching facilities. Their primary demand was for the state to provide free study resources, organized mock tests, and a clear timetable for the examination process. They also sought a moratorium on any punitive action against teachers who might not meet the passing criteria in the first attempt, arguing that the sudden imposition of the test threatened job security for many.

In response, Chief Minister Naidu issued a formal statement assuring that the education department would set up dedicated training centers, distribute updated syllabi, and arrange for periodic practice examinations. He also promised to review the pass‑mark criteria and consider a grace provision for teachers who demonstrate consistent classroom performance but fall short in the test. The assurance was delivered in a meeting with the protest leaders, after which the participants announced the termination of their hunger strike.

The TET, introduced nationwide in 2017, is intended to standardise teacher qualifications across India. However, several states, including Andhra Pradesh, have struggled with implementation. Earlier this year, the state faced criticism for a low pass rate among its teachers, prompting concerns about both teacher morale and student outcomes. Hunger strikes and other forms of protest have been a recurring tactic for educators in the region, reflecting deeper anxieties about job security, workload, and the adequacy of professional development.

Naidu’s pledge arrives at a crucial moment, as the state prepares for the next round of TET examinations scheduled for early next year. Education analysts note that effective execution of the promised measures could improve pass rates and alleviate the staffing shortages that have plagued Andhra Pradesh’s public schools. The teachers’ union has said it will monitor the government's actions closely and will reconvene if the commitments are not fulfilled.

The episode underscores the fragile balance between policy mandates and on‑ground realities in India’s education sector. While the immediate crisis has been averted, the longer‑term success of the TET reforms will depend on sustained investment in teacher training and transparent assessment mechanisms.