Teachers’ associations across Punjab have rejected the government’s decision to make a teaching license mandatory for all categories of teachers, warning of protests against the move.
Leaders of the Punjab Teachers Union, Educators Association, and Headmasters Association said requiring a license despite qualifications such as CT, B.Ed, M.Ed, MPhil, and PhD reflects a lack of trust in teachers.
They criticized the policy, stating that those imposing the requirement had themselves been educated by the same teachers now being questioned.
The associations warned against turning the education system into a “laboratory for experiments” and alleged that the government aims to privatize public schools. They also criticized the elimination of 31,000 posts, calling it “educational destruction.” The groups announced protest demonstrations starting next Monday.
Under the policy, the education department has made it mandatory for teachers to obtain a teaching license through tests and interviews, with failure to do so resulting in dismissal during the current academic year.
The license will be issued in three categories—Primary, Middle, and Secondary—based on qualifications and teaching experience, and will remain valid for five years, with renewal subject to additional requirements and fees.