Close to 1.8 lakh teachers across Maharashtra took part in a Statewide protest on Friday, 5 December 2025, opposing the government’s revised rules on Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) recruitment and its new directive on student-teacher ratio. Teachers’ organisations reported that the agitation had a sweeping impact, with over 95% of Zilla Parishad schools, around 60% of municipal schools, and nearly 75% of private aided schools remaining closed or functioning without regular classes.
Many schools stayed locked, while others operated with limited activity, as teachers collectively urged the government to reconsider the policies they believe will negatively affect recruitment and classroom learning conditions. Teacher protests are often misunderstood as salary or job issues, but this strike reflects deeper problems in how policies affect classroom teaching, workload and student learning quality. These decisions directly influence how many teachers are present in a school, how many students one teacher must manage and who is eligible to become a teacher in the first place.
Why Teachers Are Protesting
The protest has two major demands raised by teachers’ organisations:
1. Opposition to New TET Norms
Teachers are opposing the latest norms that make TET qualifications more restrictive for already employed teachers. They argue that:
- Existing teachers should not be forced to requalify under new rules
- Those already teaching for years must not be penalised
- The government must offer fair chances for regularisation and career growth
Unions claim that thousands of experienced teachers may lose benefits or face uncertainty because of sudden changes in eligibility conditions.
2. Conflict Over New Student-Teacher Ratio Resolution
The Maharashtra government issued a resolution revising classroom teacher-student ratios. Teachers say the change:
- Could reduce the number of sanctioned teaching posts
- Will increase workload on existing teachers
- May lead to teacher transfers or job cuts in smaller schools
Teachers believe the new ratio formula does not accurately represent the reality of classroom diversity, especially in rural schools where one teacher often handles multiple subjects and multiple age groups.
Who Organised the Strike
The strike was coordinated by a joint front of 35 unions representing:
- Primary school teachers
- Secondary school teachers
- Headmasters
- Non-teaching administrative staff
The large participation reflects unity across different levels of education, showing that the concerns are widely shared.
Impact on Schools and Students
With the majority of schools either closed or functioning irregularly:
- Regular classes were disrupted across many districts
- Some schools ran only basic activities with minimal staff
- Students preparing for upcoming board exams faced uncertainty
Parents expressed mixed reactions. While some supported teachers’ demands, others worried about repeated disruptions in education.
What Teachers Are Demanding from the Government
The joint unions have asked the state government to:
- Roll back or revise the new TET norms
- Withdraw or modify the student-teacher ratio resolution
- Consult teacher representatives before implementing any future policy changes
- Provide clarity on job security and promotions for existing teachers
They have also asked the government to focus on filling teaching vacancies before changing eligibility rules.
State Government’s Response (So Far)
Government officials have said that they are open to dialogue but have not announced any policy rollback yet. Talks may continue depending on how the strike influences administrative discussions. Unions have warned that if there is no meaningful response, they may escalate the protest in the coming weeks.
