AGARTALA, Sep 16 (TIWN): 2024 TET-qualified unemployed youths demanded the release of the merit list, announcing that they will sit in protest on September 24.

“We do not care anymore! Our lives are already finished, and that’s why we really do not worry about being arrested,” a job aspirant said.

“TET-qualified people are now forced to work as manual labourers, sell vegetables, and take up other private jobs. Our work may be small, but we demand that our results should be declared now,” said a job seeker.

The candidates made the statements during a press conference organised at the Agartala Press Club, where 2024 TET-qualified candidates highlighted what they described as their long-pending recruitment-related problems. They appealed to the state government to complete the recruitment process at the earliest.

According to the candidates, the Teacher Eligibility Test was conducted in 2024, but the qualified candidates are still awaiting appointment. The aspirants claimed that around 40,000 candidates appeared for the examination, while only approximately 1,800 candidates qualified. Despite the relatively small number of successful candidates, they alleged that the recruitment process has not yet been completed.

The candidates expressed frustration over the continued delay and said that many qualified youths are facing financial difficulties while waiting for employment. They claimed that some TET-qualified candidates have been compelled to work as manual labourers, sell vegetables or take up private-sector jobs to support themselves and their families.

During the press conference, the candidates also raised questions about the condition of the state’s education system. They alleged that apart from some schools in urban areas, many schools in rural and remote parts of Tripura continue to face a shortage of teachers.

According to the candidates, the shortage is creating difficulties for students and affecting the functioning of schools. They argued that the government should address teacher vacancies while simultaneously considering the appointment of candidates who have already qualified in the TET.

The aspirants also expressed dissatisfaction over the role of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha in addressing their concerns. They claimed that they had approached former Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath on multiple occasions seeking assistance regarding the issue. However, according to the candidates, they have not received the response they expected from the present government.

The candidates said their demand is not limited to employment alone but also concerns the future of thousands of students studying in schools where, they allege, adequate teaching staff is unavailable.

At the press conference, the TET-qualified candidates announced that if their demands are not addressed promptly, they will organise a protest in front of the Chief Minister’s residence on September 24.

Their principal demands include the speedy appointment of all eligible candidates who qualified in the 2024 TET and effective measures to address the shortage of teachers in schools across the state.

The aspirants appealed to the state government to take their concerns seriously and initiate the recruitment process without further delay. They said they would continue to raise the issue through democratic means until they receive clarity regarding the merit list and appointments.

The proposed September 24 protest could put renewed focus on the recruitment concerns of the 2024 TET-qualified candidates and their demand for a time-bound resolution.