AGARTALA, Sep 16 (TIWN): 2024 TET-qualified unemployed youths in Tripura have alleged that despite clearing the examination, many of them are still struggling to make a living, with some forced to sell vegetables, work as manual labourers and take up private jobs while waiting for recruitment.

“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 do other private works. Our work is small, but we demand our results should be declared now,” said another job seeker.

The candidates made the statements during a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club, where 2024 TET-qualified candidates raised their long-pending concerns over recruitment and demanded that the government complete the appointment process at the earliest.

According to the candidates, the TET examination was conducted in 2024, but the qualified candidates are yet to receive appointments. They claimed that around 40,000 candidates appeared for the examination, while only around 1,800 candidates qualified.

Despite the limited number of successful candidates, the aspirants alleged that the recruitment process has still not been completed, leaving qualified youths uncertain about their future.

The candidates said that qualifying the TET has not brought the employment opportunity they expected. Instead, they claimed that several qualified youths are now taking up different forms of work to survive, including selling vegetables, manual labour and private-sector employment.

At the press conference, the candidates also raised concerns over the shortage of teachers in Tripura's schools. They alleged that while some city-based schools have comparatively better staffing, many schools in rural and remote areas continue to face a shortage of teachers.

According to them, the shortage is affecting students and creating difficulties in maintaining proper academic activities in several schools. They argued that the government should simultaneously address teacher vacancies and complete the recruitment of eligible TET-qualified candidates.

The candidates also expressed dissatisfaction over the role of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha in addressing their recruitment concerns. They claimed that they had sought assistance from former Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath on several occasions but said they have not received the response they expected from the present government.

The aspirants said their demand is straightforward: the merit list should be released and the recruitment process should be completed without further delay.

They further announced that if their demands are not addressed, they will organise a protest in front of the Chief Minister's residence on September 24.

The candidates said they are prepared to continue their democratic protest until the government provides clarity on the merit list and appointments.

For the unemployed TET-qualified youths, the issue has now become a question of livelihood as well as employment. They said that after qualifying an examination they had hoped would open the door to a teaching career, many are instead being forced to take up whatever work is available to support themselves and their families.

The protesters appealed to the state government to take immediate steps to resolve the recruitment issue and address the alleged shortage of teachers in schools across Tripura.