TIRUPATI: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in his 2014 election manifesto, promised to make B.Ed graduates eligible for Secondary Grade Teacher posts, but the promise still remains on the paper, B.Ed students said at a press meet here on Wednesday. “While the West Bengal government took a decision to this effect recently, Andhra Pradesh government is still not responding,” said Pothuluri Masum, an advocate who has taken up the issue on behalf of B.Ed students.
Eligibility criteria for SGT posts is Diploma in Education (D.Ed), whereas B.Ed graduates are eligible only for the posts of school assistant, a grade higher than SGT. So far 5 lakh students have participated in a signature campaign to press their demand and the papers will be sent to the chief minister and the prime minister, Masum said. “We are planning to organise an indefinite relay hunger strike at RDO office from Thursday,” he added.