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Elections should not be disrupted on teachers' promotions: Organizations strongly urge the Commission
Mumbai, November 13, 2025 (Special Correspondent) – While important processes in the education sector have come to a standstill due to the dust of the assembly elections in the state, teachers' organizations have now taken a firm stand. The Maharashtra State Teachers' Association (MSA) and other major teachers' organizations have jointly written to the Election Commission, demanding that promotion interviews be continued. The organizations have stated that these interviews are directly affecting the careers of teachers and have urged immediate decisions to avoid inconvenience due to restrictions during the election period. This demand is not limited to Mumbai alone, but is expected to benefit thousands of teachers in schools and colleges across Maharashtra.
Election Code of Conduct Problem
Since the start of the assembly election campaign in the state, the Code of Conduct implemented by the Election Commission has slowed down many processes in the government system. This includes teacher promotion interviews. These interviews, which are usually conducted in the months of December-January every year, promote teachers to higher posts, which leads to an increase in their salaries and changes in responsibilities. However, this year, these processes have been postponed due to the election season. Prof. Ramesh Patil, General Secretary of MASHASE, said, "Teachers are election soldiers, but who will consider their rights? With these interviews being stopped, the processes that have been delayed for two years have not yet been completed. The Commission should understand this and allow it."
The letter from the organizations clearly states that the delay in the promotion process is not only personally damaging, but also affects the quality of education. If senior teachers do not get promotions, new teachers do not get opportunities, which leads to a shortage of experienced mentors in schools. This problem is especially serious in rural schools, where the recruitment and promotion of teachers is directly linked to the academic progress of the students.
Collective fight of organizations
Along with MASHASE, the Maharashtra State Primary Teachers' Association, Secondary Teachers' Association and other small and large organizations have also supported this demand. Speaking at a meeting in Mumbai, leaders of the organisations said, "Although elections are a celebration of democracy, they should not come at the expense of educational processes. A similar situation had happened in the previous elections, which cost the lives of many teachers. This time, we will raise our voices firmly, not silently." It was decided in the meeting that if the Commission does not respond positively, a march will be taken out in Mumbai and a delegation will also be sent to the headquarters in Delhi.
This demand of the teachers is also receiving support from political leaders. Leaders of opposition parties have put pressure on the Commission by commenting on the issue on social media. A prominent leader said, "Teachers are the pillars of nation-building. Stopping their promotion means putting the future of education at risk. The Commission should take immediate action." On the other hand, sources say that leaders of the ruling party are also supporting this demand, although there is no official statement yet.
What is the role of the Commission?
Speaking to Loksatta, a senior Election Commission official said, "We are considering the teachers' demand. However, there are some restrictions on administrative decisions due to the code of conduct. We will investigate the legality of allowing this process." The official also mentioned that the commission has a policy of prioritizing such applications. However, many experts are of the opinion that instead of temporarily suspending this process, it can be conducted online or under supervision, which will benefit both sides.
A similar controversy arose in the last election too, when the transfer process of teachers was stopped. At that time, a case was filed in the High Court and finally the Commission granted some relaxations. The leaders of the organizations say that a similar outcome is expected this time too. "We will fight within the framework of the law, but we will not let the rights of teachers fall behind," Prof. Patil firmly said.
Wider impact in the education sector
This demand is not limited to promotions only, but will also affect educational policies. While the National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes on teacher training and advancement, such restrictions hamper the implementation of the policy. Especially in Maharashtra, where there is a shortage of teachers in government schools of more than 20 percent, promotion of experienced teachers is essential. For teachers in rural areas, this process involves a year-long preparation – documents, certificates and interview preparation. This delay leads to mental stress and financial loss.
Education expert Dr. Sunita Joshi said, “Teacher promotion is not just about job advancement, it is also linked to the future of the students. The commission should prepare special guidelines to conduct such processes during the election period. Otherwise, educational inequality will increase.” According to her, similar things happen in other states too, but since the strength of teachers’ unions is great in Maharashtra, this issue will be resolved soon.
Next steps and expectations
The teachers’ unions have now demanded a reply within a week, after which they have started preparing for the agitation. Meetings are being held at the local level in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad. Against this backdrop, as discontent in the teaching community is growing
Mumbai, November 13, 2025 (Special Correspondent) – While important processes in the education sector have come to a standstill due to the dust of the assembly elections in the state, teachers' organizations have now taken a firm stand. The Maharashtra State Teachers' Association (MSA) and other major teachers' organizations have jointly written to the Election Commission, demanding that promotion interviews be continued. The organizations have stated that these interviews are directly affecting the careers of teachers and have urged immediate decisions to avoid inconvenience due to restrictions during the election period. This demand is not limited to Mumbai alone, but is expected to benefit thousands of teachers in schools and colleges across Maharashtra.
Election Code of Conduct Problem
Since the start of the assembly election campaign in the state, the Code of Conduct implemented by the Election Commission has slowed down many processes in the government system. This includes teacher promotion interviews. These interviews, which are usually conducted in the months of December-January every year, promote teachers to higher posts, which leads to an increase in their salaries and changes in responsibilities. However, this year, these processes have been postponed due to the election season. Prof. Ramesh Patil, General Secretary of MASHASE, said, "Teachers are election soldiers, but who will consider their rights? With these interviews being stopped, the processes that have been delayed for two years have not yet been completed. The Commission should understand this and allow it."
The letter from the organizations clearly states that the delay in the promotion process is not only personally damaging, but also affects the quality of education. If senior teachers do not get promotions, new teachers do not get opportunities, which leads to a shortage of experienced mentors in schools. This problem is especially serious in rural schools, where the recruitment and promotion of teachers is directly linked to the academic progress of the students.
Collective fight of organizations
Along with MASHASE, the Maharashtra State Primary Teachers' Association, Secondary Teachers' Association and other small and large organizations have also supported this demand. Speaking at a meeting in Mumbai, leaders of the organisations said, "Although elections are a celebration of democracy, they should not come at the expense of educational processes. A similar situation had happened in the previous elections, which cost the lives of many teachers. This time, we will raise our voices firmly, not silently." It was decided in the meeting that if the Commission does not respond positively, a march will be taken out in Mumbai and a delegation will also be sent to the headquarters in Delhi.
This demand of the teachers is also receiving support from political leaders. Leaders of opposition parties have put pressure on the Commission by commenting on the issue on social media. A prominent leader said, "Teachers are the pillars of nation-building. Stopping their promotion means putting the future of education at risk. The Commission should take immediate action." On the other hand, sources say that leaders of the ruling party are also supporting this demand, although there is no official statement yet.
What is the role of the Commission?
Speaking to Loksatta, a senior Election Commission official said, "We are considering the teachers' demand. However, there are some restrictions on administrative decisions due to the code of conduct. We will investigate the legality of allowing this process." The official also mentioned that the commission has a policy of prioritizing such applications. However, many experts are of the opinion that instead of temporarily suspending this process, it can be conducted online or under supervision, which will benefit both sides.
A similar controversy arose in the last election too, when the transfer process of teachers was stopped. At that time, a case was filed in the High Court and finally the Commission granted some relaxations. The leaders of the organizations say that a similar outcome is expected this time too. "We will fight within the framework of the law, but we will not let the rights of teachers fall behind," Prof. Patil firmly said.
Wider impact in the education sector
This demand is not limited to promotions only, but will also affect educational policies. While the National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes on teacher training and advancement, such restrictions hamper the implementation of the policy. Especially in Maharashtra, where there is a shortage of teachers in government schools of more than 20 percent, promotion of experienced teachers is essential. For teachers in rural areas, this process involves a year-long preparation – documents, certificates and interview preparation. This delay leads to mental stress and financial loss.
Education expert Dr. Sunita Joshi said, “Teacher promotion is not just about job advancement, it is also linked to the future of the students. The commission should prepare special guidelines to conduct such processes during the election period. Otherwise, educational inequality will increase.” According to her, similar things happen in other states too, but since the strength of teachers’ unions is great in Maharashtra, this issue will be resolved soon.
Next steps and expectations
The teachers’ unions have now demanded a reply within a week, after which they have started preparing for the agitation. Meetings are being held at the local level in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad. Against this backdrop, as discontent in the teaching community is growing
Election Code of Conduct Problem
Since the start of the assembly election campaign in the state, the Code of Conduct implemented by the Election Commission has slowed down many processes in the government system. This includes teacher promotion interviews. These interviews, which are usually conducted in the months of December-January every year, promote teachers to higher posts, which leads to an increase in their salaries and changes in responsibilities. However, this year, these processes have been postponed due to the election season. Prof. Ramesh Patil, General Secretary of MASHASE, said, "Teachers are election soldiers, but who will consider their rights? With these interviews being stopped, the processes that have been delayed for two years have not yet been completed. The Commission should understand this and allow it."
The letter from the organizations clearly states that the delay in the promotion process is not only personally damaging, but also affects the quality of education. If senior teachers do not get promotions, new teachers do not get opportunities, which leads to a shortage of experienced mentors in schools. This problem is especially serious in rural schools, where the recruitment and promotion of teachers is directly linked to the academic progress of the students.
Collective fight of organizations
Along with MASHASE, the Maharashtra State Primary Teachers' Association, Secondary Teachers' Association and other small and large organizations have also supported this demand. Speaking at a meeting in Mumbai, leaders of the organisations said, "Although elections are a celebration of democracy, they should not come at the expense of educational processes. A similar situation had happened in the previous elections, which cost the lives of many teachers. This time, we will raise our voices firmly, not silently." It was decided in the meeting that if the Commission does not respond positively, a march will be taken out in Mumbai and a delegation will also be sent to the headquarters in Delhi.
This demand of the teachers is also receiving support from political leaders. Leaders of opposition parties have put pressure on the Commission by commenting on the issue on social media. A prominent leader said, "Teachers are the pillars of nation-building. Stopping their promotion means putting the future of education at risk. The Commission should take immediate action." On the other hand, sources say that leaders of the ruling party are also supporting this demand, although there is no official statement yet.
What is the role of the Commission?
Speaking to Loksatta, a senior Election Commission official said, "We are considering the teachers' demand. However, there are some restrictions on administrative decisions due to the code of conduct. We will investigate the legality of allowing this process." The official also mentioned that the commission has a policy of prioritizing such applications. However, many experts are of the opinion that instead of temporarily suspending this process, it can be conducted online or under supervision, which will benefit both sides.
A similar controversy arose in the last election too, when the transfer process of teachers was stopped. At that time, a case was filed in the High Court and finally the Commission granted some relaxations. The leaders of the organizations say that a similar outcome is expected this time too. "We will fight within the framework of the law, but we will not let the rights of teachers fall behind," Prof. Patil firmly said.
Wider impact in the education sector
This demand is not limited to promotions only, but will also affect educational policies. While the National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes on teacher training and advancement, such restrictions hamper the implementation of the policy. Especially in Maharashtra, where there is a shortage of teachers in government schools of more than 20 percent, promotion of experienced teachers is essential. For teachers in rural areas, this process involves a year-long preparation – documents, certificates and interview preparation. This delay leads to mental stress and financial loss.
Education expert Dr. Sunita Joshi said, “Teacher promotion is not just about job advancement, it is also linked to the future of the students. The commission should prepare special guidelines to conduct such processes during the election period. Otherwise, educational inequality will increase.” According to her, similar things happen in other states too, but since the strength of teachers’ unions is great in Maharashtra, this issue will be resolved soon.
Next steps and expectations
The teachers’ unions have now demanded a reply within a week, after which they have started preparing for the agitation. Meetings are being held at the local level in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad. Against this backdrop, as discontent in the teaching community is growing
