TET Teachers prefix ‘driver’ to their names to protest against a remark made by State Education Minister

June 16:Teachers who have qualified Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) in Assam are using the word “driver” as a prefix ahead of their names in a similar way in which BJP leaders used the word ‘chowkidar’ as a prefix just before the recently concluded parliamentary polls. In fact, Assam teachers are upset with stae Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya comparing the TET certificates to driving licenses while justifying the need for its renewal.

The TET teachers expressed that view that, “We respect drivers and their profession. But we are protesting against Bhattacharya’s comment by adding driver to our names, much like what BJP supporters did during the last election to show support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Their protest campaign began on Friday, after Bhattacharya compared the pass certificate of the TET with a driving license in a live programme on All India Radio, Guwahati a day earlier.

While defending his comments Siddhartha Bhattacharya said, “My comment was just a comparison to show that like driving licences, which need to be renewed after a certain period, TET qualified teachers also need to get new certificates after seven years.”

While speaking to newsmen, a TET teacher said, “We are very upset about the comparison of the TET certificate with a driving license. So, we have decided to organise a silent, but powerful protest.” Besides adding the prefix on their Facebook pages and Twitter handles, many of the protesting teachers have also shared posts with the caption “I am also a Driver’ on social media platforms.