Teacher aspirants and members of the education community held separate protests in Bhopal on August 23, raising concerns over recruitment vacancies and the reported closure of government schools across Madhya Pradesh.

Candidates appearing for the Secondary and Primary Teacher Recruitment-2025 continued their protest for the third consecutive day, demanding an increase in Class 2 and Class 3 vacancies and faster recruitment. The protesters said the number of posts currently announced is not enough to accommodate the large number of eligible candidates.

Narendra Rajput, one of the protesters who has been on a hunger strike, said the candidates had been raising the issue for several months. He claimed that he had gone without water for around 40 hours while continuing the protest.

The candidates are demanding an increase in vacancies, including 25,000 Class 3 posts and 3,000 posts per subject for Class 2, according to the protesters. They have appealed to the Madhya Pradesh government to revise the recruitment numbers and speed up the selection process.

Women candidates participating in the demonstration also raised the issue of employment. Some said they wanted regular work and the opportunity to support their families through their own earnings rather than depending on monthly financial assistance from the government.

The protests come amid continuing concerns among teaching aspirants over limited government recruitment opportunities in the state. Candidates have been seeking clarity on vacancies and the timeline for appointments.

A separate demonstration was held at Neelam Park under the banner of the School Bachao Sangharsh Samiti Madhya Pradesh. Students, teachers and parents from different parts of the state participated in the protest.

The group raised concerns over the condition of government schools and alleged that more than 25,000 schools have been closed across Madhya Pradesh. Protesters also raised issues related to the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and the availability of teachers in government schools.

The protesters opposed what they described as a policy of school closures and said the move could affect access to government education, particularly for students dependent on public schools.

Members of the School Bachao Sangharsh Samiti warned that the agitation could be intensified if their demands are not addressed. They said the group may launch an indefinite sit-in as part of the campaign.

The two protests highlight separate but connected concerns surrounding school education in Madhya Pradesh — teacher recruitment on one side and the functioning and availability of government schools on the other.

While teacher aspirants are pressing the government for more vacancies and quicker recruitment, parents and education activists are demanding that government schools remain accessible and adequately staffed.

The protesters have called on the Madhya Pradesh government to intervene and address their demands. Further action is expected if there is no response from the authorities.