Teacher’s Day Protest: TET-TAT Pass Candidates Demand Permanent Recruitment at Gandhinagar Secretariat, Roadblocks and Detentions Follow

Today, Teacher’s Day is being celebrated across the country. In Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, future teachers have staged a protest at the Secretariat, demanding their rights. A large number of candidates who have passed the TET and TAT exams have gathered to request permanent recruitment and the issuance of notifications. 

The candidates claim that despite the Chief Minister’s announcement, permanent recruitment has not been carried out. On Teacher’s Day, the protesting teachers were detained by the police, as they were in a mood of agitation. Other candidates who were unable to protest outside the Secretariat reached the Ch-3 and Gh-3 circles, where they also staged a sit-in protest.

The state government had previously announced the recruitment of teachers, stating that a notification for 4,000 positions under TAT HS would be issued on September 1. Since the notification was not released, the candidates announced a protest. 

Today, TAT-passed candidates have gathered in Gandhinagar to stage a demonstration in honor of Teacher’s Day. As the state and the country celebrate Teacher’s Day, candidates in Gandhinagar have once again protested, demanding recruitment and addressing various issues such as salaries. The protesting candidates argue that the state government had previously announced recruitment for vacant positions.

Candidates Demand Immediate Recruitment Notification

The candidates further explained that the announcement mentioned the issuance of a notification for 4,000 TAT HS positions on September 1. However, the Gujarat Government has not released the notification by the promised date. As a result, they have decided to stage another protest in Gandhinagar, demanding that the government quickly address their demands.

TAT and TAT-HS passed candidates reported that when they came to submit their representations on June 18, they were not allowed to enter the Secretariat. Rishikesh Patel had then assured that a notification would be issued soon and 24,700 positions would be announced. The date of September 1 was mentioned. Today, September 5, has arrived, and despite waiting until the 4th, no notification has been released. 

Therefore, the candidates have come to present their demands to the Chief Minister. They noted that while teachers are struggling on the streets demanding their rights, they are not even allowed to submit their representations. They were told that only five people would be allowed to present their case. The candidates also mentioned that despite the announcement of the exam, they had only 14 days to prepare and take the test, which they managed to pass. They have been requesting recruitment for a year now, but no action has been taken. 

The government has implemented the “Knowledge Assistant” scheme, which is a temporary measure, while permanent candidates are still waiting. The candidates argue that if permanent teachers are available, there should be no need for temporary ones. Instead of recruiting permanent candidates, the government is extending the temporary Knowledge Assistant scheme.

Yuvrajsinh Criticizes Recruitment Delays and Government Promises

Yuvrajsinh criticized the state government for failing to follow the recruitment calendar it had issued. He pointed out that the government had promised to recruit 24,700 teachers, but the announced dates have passed without any recruitment taking place. 

He urged the government to fulfill its promises, emphasizing that today, on Teacher’s Day, it is disheartening to see teachers on the streets rather than in their classrooms.

Yuvrajsinh highlighted that despite the promises, no officials or authorities are available to address the teachers’ concerns. He noted that while leaders make statements on Teacher’s Day, the reality is that teachers are facing hardships. 

He also mentioned that the government is paying salaries to ghost teachers abroad but is not recruiting deserving candidates who are ready and qualified.

Process Completion Before Diwali: Teachers Demand Clarity

The teachers have expressed their concerns about the recruitment process, questioning how it will be completed before Diwali. They recalled that the Education Minister had previously promised permanent recruitment by June 15, which did not materialize, leading to their protest. 

Following the protest, officials held a press conference where Rishikesh Patel announced that the recruitment process for higher secondary teachers would begin around September 1, and Kuberbhai assured that the process would be completed before Diwali.

The teachers are concerned that if the notification is not issued soon, it will be impossible to complete the recruitment process by Diwali. Their primary demand is for the government to issue the recruitment notification, as promised. 

They are also addressing a critical issue: the increase in positions for new teachers should not be counted as new recruitment but as a replacement process for existing teachers. They request that the government increase the number of positions in secondary, higher secondary, and other educational levels, as the 24,700 positions should include additional vacancies.

“Dada, You Are Playing with Our Emotions”

The teachers have a single demand: for the government to issue the recruitment notification today. They express frustration at being prevented from even reaching the Secretariat, where they were made to wait outside. They are concerned about whether they will be allowed to present their case or if they will be detained as usual, causing their efforts to go in vain.

The teachers want to submit their representation and meet with the Education Minister and Chief Minister to express their feelings. They plan to tell the officials, “Grandfather, you are playing with our emotions. 

We trusted you, but you are not being sensitive to our concerns. Despite the announcements by the Education Minister, the spokesperson, and the Chief Minister, if we still have to endure such conditions, it makes us question where we are living in Gujarat. No promises have been fulfilled in a timely manner.”

Candidates Block Roads at Ch-3 and Gh-3 Circles

While teachers protesting outside the Gandhinagar Secretariat were detained, other candidates moved to the Ch-3 and Gh-3 circles and began their own sit-in protests. The protests resulted in roadblocks, causing significant traffic jams as one side of the road was closed.