Gujarat HTAT Head Teachers Launch Hunger Strike

Gandhinagar : In a determined push for long-standing demands, Head Teachers Aptitude Test (HTAT) head teachers from across Gujarat convened at Gandhinagar’s Satyagraha camp on Tuesday. Frustrated by years of inaction, they initiated a hunger strike to press for the promulgation of transfer rules and other unresolved issues, vowing to continue their protest until their demands are met.

On Tuesday, HTAT head teachers from various parts of Gujarat gathered at the Satyagraha camp in Gandhinagar, launching a hunger strike to draw attention to their unresolved demands. Organized by the Gujarat State Head Teachers’ Union, the protest aims to push the state government to establish clear transfer rules and address other pressing issues affecting the HTAT cadre.

The head teachers’ main demand is the establishment of transfer rules for the HTAT cadre, which was created in 2012 but still lacks formal transfer guidelines. Teachers have also requested that schools with at least 150 students from Balwatika to Class VIII be assigned one HTAT head teacher. Despite numerous discussions with government officials, no resolution has been achieved, prompting the teachers to take more drastic measures.

Hitesh Dudhat, one of the protesting teachers at the Satyagraha camp, emphasized the urgency of their demands. “We have gathered here today to demand the immediate implementation of HTAT transfer rules. We are on a hunger strike and will not stop until our demands are met. The government must fulfill its promise and provide clear guidelines for our transfers.”

Another protesting teacher highlighted the hardships faced by the HTAT cadre due to the absence of transfer rules. “It has been 12 years since our cadre was appointed, yet we still lack clear transfer rules. This has caused significant family problems as many of us are forced to work far from our homes. Despite a court ruling in October 2022 instructing the creation of a new policy, no action has been taken.”

In response to the escalating protest, Education Minister Kuber Dindor appealed to the teachers via social media on Monday, urging them to postpone their hunger strike. He assured them that the process of drafting the transfer rules was in its final stages and that an announcement would be made soon. However, this appeal did not deter the head teachers, who proceeded with their planned hunger strike.

State government spokesperson Minister Rishikesh Patel reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the issue. “The process of publishing the HTAT rules is underway. We understand the teachers’ frustrations and are working diligently to finalize the rules. We ask for their patience as we complete this process.”