Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Punjab Teachers Protest Mandated Bridge Course
Teachers in Punjab with a lot of experience are upset because the government says they have to take a special class.
This class costs a lot of money and takes six months.
The teachers think it's unfair because they have been teaching for a long time and already have the right qualifications.
They say the government is making them do this class just to bother them.
The teachers' unions are asking the government to cancel this rule.
Punjab Education Department mandates a 6-month bridge course for experienced head teachers and centre head teachers.
Course fee is Rs 25,000, which teachers' unions term as excessive and harassing.
Affected teachers were recruited between 2018 and 2023 and have 15-20 years of teaching experience.
Teacher unions argue that the course is unjustified and that a similar course was conducted for free earlier.
Teachers' unions threaten statewide agitation if the order is not withdrawn.
- Who
- Head teachers and centre head teachers in Punjab with 15-20 years of experience
- What
- Protest against a mandatory 6-month bridge course costing Rs 25,000
- When
- Order issued on December 14, last date to register is December 25
- Where
- Punjab, India
- Why
- To comply with NCTE norms and Supreme Court directions for teacher qualifications
- Course Duration
- 6 months
- Course Fee
- Rs 25,000
- Number of Teachers Affected
- 1,250
- Years of Experience
- 15 to 20 years
- Recruitment Period
- June 28, 2018 to August 11, 2023
- Course Provider
- National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
- Last Date to Register
- December 25
- Course Mode
- Distance education with mandatory physical examinations