Government Job Was a Dream Come True, Now Chhattisgarh's 2,900 Assistant Teachers on the Brink of Dismissal

Raipur- Securing a government job is a dream for many young Indians, but the fear of losing it can be devastating—especially after one has dedicated 1.5 years of hard work and loyalty to the role. This nightmare is now a reality for approximately 2,900 assistant teachers, primarily from tribal communities in the Sarguja and Bastar regions of Chhattisgarh, who have been protesting for the past six days to save their jobs.

These teachers' plight highlights the socio-economic crisis they are grappling with, brought about by a recent court order challenging their qualifications and threatening their livelihoods.

On December 10, the Chhattisgarh High Court issued a directive prioritizing D.Ed. (Diploma in Education) candidates over B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) candidates for primary school teaching positions. The order called for the termination of B.Ed. assistant teachers’ services, asserting that only D.Ed. candidates were eligible for these roles. The court further directed the state to appoint D.Ed. candidates within two weeks.

B.Ed. candidates argue that the government’s original recruitment advertisement recognized both qualifications, making their termination unjust.

Most of the affected teachers are from tribal communities, where government jobs are a vital source of economic and social security. The termination orders jeopardize the livelihoods of 2,900 families, including 56 individuals who left previous jobs for these positions.

A Recruitment Process Marred by Delays and Legal Tussles

The recruitment process began under the previous Congress government with an advertisement for approximately 6,000 posts on May 5, 2023. Over 3 lakh candidates applied, followed by an examination on June 10 and the release of a merit list on July 2, 2023.

The Congress government conducted two counseling sessions and issued appointment letters. After the BJP came to power, the process continued with two more counseling rounds. As a result, 2,897 B.Ed.-qualified teachers were appointed in four phases.

However, the Supreme Court ruled on August 11, 2023, that appointments of B.Ed. candidates beyond this date would be invalid. This prompted D.Ed. candidates to approach the Chhattisgarh High Court, demanding the cancellation of B.Ed. appointments made after the cutoff. B.Ed. candidates also filed a petition. The December 10, 2024 verdict canceled the appointments of B.Ed. teachers and mandated the appointment of D.Ed. candidates by January 14, 2025.

The protesting teachers blame administrative delays for their plight, arguing that penalizing them for such lapses is unjust.

The affected teachers are demanding alternative appointments, immediate revocation of termination orders, and equal opportunities for all. Recently, they undertook a 350-km "Anunay Yatra" (March of Plea) from Ambikapur to Raipur, where they have been staging sit-in protests.

The Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) has sought details from district education officers regarding active and inactive B.Ed. and D.Ed. teachers in the Bastar and Sarguja regions, including information on candidates from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

As the January 14 deadline for appointing D.Ed. candidates looms, B.Ed. teachers continue to protest in New Raipur. They highlight the dire consequences of job loss, including unpaid bank loans, disrupted children’s education, and shattered family stability.

Voices from the Ground

Speaking with The Mooknayak , Sumit Borkar, a Dalit assistant teacher from Kondagaon district, expressed his anguish: “ Hundreds like me are worried about our families' future. We earned these jobs through sheer hard work and honesty, and now our lives are in limbo.”

Sumit, who supports a nine-member family, explained how his job had brought temporary financial relief after years of depending on his grandfather’s pension and his mother’s tailoring income. “Now, the thought of losing this job is unbearable,” he added.

Female teachers like Mamta Negi from Mainpur, Gariaband district, emphasized the broader implications of job loss. “This job brought us respect and independence. Preparing for another exam will require time and money, and as women, we face additional societal pressures like marriage. Losing this job shatters our dream of self-reliance.”

The tragedy of this struggle was underscored by the death of Hema Singh, a young teacher from Janjgir-Champa. She passed away in a road accident while returning from submitting a memorandum to the district collector. Her father, Devanarayan Singh, joined the protesting teachers to bless them and emotionally declared, “These teachers are all my children.”

Pilesh Kumar, posted in Bagbheda, Kondagaon, says, "I come from a poor family. I am the first in my family to get a job. My mother is unwell, and I never told her that my job is at risk. My father supported my education through farming, and if I lose this job, it will bring severe financial hardship to our family. I have only one plea to the government: please don’t take away our dignity."

Roshan Kumar Dande from Nawagaon, Raipur district, told The Mooknayak, "Losing my job will leave us in dire financial straits. My father is paralyzed, and my mother is also unwell. There is no other source of income in the family." Sobbing, Roshan added, "After losing my job, I see no option other than collective suicide. Forgive me, but I don’t have the mental strength left to endure this torture."

BJP MLA Dharamjit Singh raised the issue in the state assembly’s winter session.

The Chhattisgarh Employees and Officers Federation has demanded alternative appointments and the withdrawal of termination orders. State coordinator Kamal Verma remarked, “Terminating these teachers will cause immense hardship for their families.”

Virendra Dubey, head of the Chhattisgarh Shikshak Sangharsh Morcha, expressed solidarity, stating, “When hardworking and qualified individuals face injustice, it is our duty to unite and demand justice.”

The protesting teachers are urging the state government and judiciary to secure their jobs through alternative arrangements. Their plea extends beyond the 2,900 affected individuals to the countless families and communities that depend on them.