Why Did Bengal Minister Call the TET Protest 'Irrational'?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The protest by TET-qualified candidates was labeled irrational by the Education Minister.
- Minister Basu emphasized that vacancy announcements are imminent.
- Claims of thousands of existing vacancies were dismissed as misleading.
- The process for determining vacancies is nearly complete.
- Protests are deemed unnecessary at this time according to the Minister.
Kolkata, Sep 11 (NationPress) West Bengal's Education Minister Bratya Basu characterized the demonstration by Teacher's Eligibility Test (TET)-qualified individuals outside the State Assembly as "irrational" and "pointless".
This remark from the Education Minister followed the protest involving approximately 200 TET-qualified candidates, who rallied against the state government, demanding prompt recruitment for primary and upper primary schools throughout West Bengal.
Regarding the protest, Minister Basu indicated that the announcements concerning vacancies for TET 2022 will be made soon.
"This protest occurs at a time when the West Bengal Primary Education Board recently informed us that a list of vacancies will be forthcoming. It is anticipated that the list will be shared within the next two or three days. I am uncertain about the motive behind this agitation," he stated.
The Education Minister also remarked, "Claims about vacancies are misleading. There are not currently 50,000 or 51,000 vacancies. Furthermore, the exact number of vacancies has not been disclosed. However, they are being misled into believing there are 50,000 or 51,000 vacancies. This is incorrect."
He elaborated on the reason why he cannot provide a precise figure for TET candidates' vacancies at this moment.
"Information comes from the districts. We can only report after receiving the comprehensive district data," Minister Basu explained.
Nonetheless, he assured those seeking teaching positions in primary schools that the process of compiling the district-level vacancy list is nearly complete.
"A notification will be issued once the final list is obtained. Thus, protesting at this juncture is unwarranted," he added.
Earlier on Thursday, protesters, who marched from Dorina Crossing in Esplanade to the State Assembly in Kolkata, clashed with police after attempting to demonstrate near the Assembly gate.
Holding placards, the protesters sat in front of the Assembly as police began to take them into waiting prison vans.
Some protesters were seen appealing to officers to let them sit before the Assembly gate.
According to police, nearly 50 protesters were detained.