Overview
- State education officials reported 13,216 teachers absent without permission, with limited closures in Mumbai but large actions in districts such as Pune.
- An education department circular warned one day’s salary would be deducted for principals, teachers and non-teaching staff at schools that closed on December 5, drawing sharp union objections.
- Protesters targeted the Supreme Court-backed requirement that in-service teachers clear the Teacher Eligibility Test, arguing it jeopardises the futures of experienced staff.
- Unions called for scrapping the 2024 Sanch Manyata policy that ties staffing approval to enrolment and bars assigning teachers to schools with fewer than 20 students, warning of school shutdowns and reduced rural access.
- Rallies to collector offices drew thousands, including over 10,000 participants in Pune and more than 2,000 in Latur, while Minister Dada Bhuse said the government is consulting on a TET review petition and invited suggestions on Sanch Manyata.