On Monday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was honored by two teachers’ unions for introducing new transfer rules for head teachers who have passed the Head Teachers Aptitude Test (HTAT). The felicitation ceremony took place in Gandhinagar and was organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh – Gujarat (ABRSM) and the Mukhya Shikshak Shaikshik Mahasangh – Gujarat.
Key Highlights:
- New Transfer Rules: The new regulations governing the transfers of head teachers who have cleared the HTAT were announced by Patel. This initiative aims to streamline and improve the process for relocating qualified head teachers.
- Chief Minister’s Address: Patel acknowledged the significant efforts of teachers in Gujarat, praising their dedication and commitment. He emphasized the importance of addressing pending issues and working collaboratively to resolve them. “Today, if a student remains absent for even a day, the teacher visits his residence to inquire about him. Overall, teachers are doing a good job and taking care of our students,” Patel stated.
- Shala Praveshotsav Initiative: In June, Patel launched the 21st edition of ‘Shala Praveshotsav,’ an annual campaign to enroll students in Class 1. This year’s event took place in Biliamba village of Dang district. Patel highlighted the achievements of former students from Biliamba Primary School, including MBBS doctor Anitaben Kuvar and international athlete Murali Gavit, as examples of the positive impact of teachers.
- Recognition of Teachers’ Contributions: Patel noted that teachers are playing a crucial role in transforming remote villages into notable educational centers. He reiterated the vision of developing India into a developed country by 2047, emphasizing the role of educators in this mission.
- ABRSM-Gujarat’s Request: Bhikhabhai Patel, president of ABRSM-Gujarat, expressed hope that the state government would extend the benefits of the old pension scheme (OPS) to teachers appointed before 2005. He also urged for the implementation of the new transfer rules for HTAT teachers. “The government has resolved almost all issues concerning teachers, and we know that the chief minister is positive about OPS to teachers recruited before 2005. There is no need for any protest now,” he said.
The ceremony underscored the Gujarat government’s commitment to improving the educational environment and addressing the needs of teachers, reinforcing the collaborative efforts to enhance the quality of education in the state.
