Teacher Unions Protest Mandatory P4 Scheme, Call for Voluntary Participation

Quick Summary

• Teacher unions in Andhra Pradesh have objected to compulsory registration as mentors under the government’s ‘P4’ (Public-Private-People Partnership) initiative.
• Progressive Democratic Front MLC B. Gopi Murthy called for halting the forced registration and warned of protests if practices were not stopped.
• The Andhra Pradesh Teachers Federation (APTF-1938) emphasized that participation should remain voluntary,highlighting teachers’ existing contributions to underprivileged communities.
• Government directives require headmasters to adopt five families and teachers two families under P4, which union leaders termed coercive.
• Union representatives criticized lukewarm public response to P4,resulting in pressure on government employees instead of elected representatives and bureaucrats leading by exmaple.
• Additional grievances include delays in releasing Dearness Allowance (DA), failure to appoint a Commissioner for 12th Pay Revision Commission, and pending arrears totaling ₹20,000 crore.

!Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiling P4 logo at Amaravati

Indian Opinion Analysis

The objections raised by teacher unions underscore critical concerns about the balance between voluntary service and mandated participation in social initiatives like Andhra Pradesh’s P4 scheme aimed at poverty eradication. While the goal of fostering community engagement is commendable, coercive measures risk alienating key personnel whose goodwill is essential for success-such as educators who already contribute outside official mandates.

Moreover, broader frustrations regarding delayed financial commitments like DA payments and pending arrears compound dissatisfaction among employees expected to spearhead such efforts without reciprocal gestures from higher officials or proper incentives. An inclusive approach encouraging voluntary leadership from elected officials could mitigate backlash while strengthening grassroots support. Ensuring transparency on financial obligations alongside re-evaluating implementation strategies might enhance trust within this workforce-dependent initiative.

Read More: Published – July 27,2025 09:24 pm IST