Gujarat: Krida Bharati backs long-standing demands of physical education teachers

IANS April 7, 2025 150 views

Physical education teachers in Gujarat are staging a prolonged protest against the state's 15-year recruitment freeze for permanent positions. Krida Bharati, an RSS-affiliated sports organization, has officially backed their demands, highlighting the contradiction between national sporting ambitions and local recruitment policies. The teachers, currently working on temporary 11-month contracts, argue that the lack of permanent positions undermines their professional growth and job security. With Krida Bharati's support, the protest is gaining momentum and putting increased pressure on the Gujarat government to address these long-standing grievances.

"While the Central government is striving to bring the Olympic Games to India in 2036, Gujarat has not conducted a recruitment drive for physical education teachers" - Krida Bharati Press Statement
Ahmedabad, April 7: Krida Bharati, the Gujarat wing of the national sports organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), officially extended its support to the physical education teachers (Vyayam Shikshaks) who are protesting in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar over permanent recruitment.

Key Points

1

Hundreds of PE teachers protest 15-year recruitment freeze

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Krida Bharati escalates demand through official channels

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Short-term contracts deny job security and career stability

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Representations made across multiple Gujarat districts

Hundreds of physical education instructors from across the state have been staging a sit-in at Gandhinagar for several days, demanding long-overdue permanent recruitment into government and grant-in-aid schools.

The teachers, many of whom are currently working on temporary 11-month contracts, allege that no full-time recruitment has taken place in Gujarat for the past 15 years.

Krida Bharati, in a press statement, called the situation contradictory to the nation’s sporting ambitions.

“While the Central government is striving to bring the Olympic Games to India in 2036, Gujarat has not conducted a recruitment drive for physical education teachers at the primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels for the past one and a half decades,” the statement read.

The organisation emphasised that sports assistants have been voicing these concerns for years without any meaningful response from the state.

Krida Bharati said it has submitted memorandums to District Collectors across Gujarat, urging immediate government intervention.

The campaign is being led by Western Region Coordinator Rameshbhai Prajapati and Karnavati Mahanagar President Pratapsinh Jhala, who, along with a delegation of sports professionals, teachers, and Krida Bharati members, met with the Ahmedabad District Collector earlier.

Similar representations were also made to Collectors in Mehsana, Patan, Vadodara, Surat, Tapi, Sabarkantha, Anand, Palanpur, and Navsari, among other districts.

Krida Bharati said that the aim is to escalate the issue through official channels and ensure it reaches the attention of top policymakers.

The protesting teachers argue that despite multiple assurances over the past 13 years, the state government has failed to implement a sustainable recruitment policy.

They said that working on short-term contracts deprives them of job security, benefits, and a stable career path in the education sector.

With a powerful sports body like Krida Bharati throwing its weight behind the protest, pressure is mounting on the state government to address the grievances of thousands of physical education teachers awaiting permanent appointments.

Reader Comments

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Rahul P.
Finally some recognition for PE teachers! They play such a crucial role in students' development. 15 years without permanent recruitment is shocking. Hope this leads to real change 🤞
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Priya M.
My cousin has been working as a temporary PE teacher for 8 years. The uncertainty affects their whole family. This support from Krida Bharati might finally get the government to listen!
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Amit K.
While I support the teachers' cause, I wonder why Krida Bharati waited so long to step in? This issue has been ongoing for years. Better late than never though.
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Sunita R.
Sports education is just as important as academics! If we want to host Olympics, we need proper infrastructure AND qualified permanent staff. This is basic stuff 🏅
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Vijay D.
The 11-month contract system is exploitative. No benefits, no security. How can we expect quality education when teachers are treated like this?
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Neha T.
I appreciate that Krida Bharati is taking this up through proper channels. Hope they follow through and don't just make it a PR move. These teachers deserve stability after 15 years of service!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Gujarat Education Physical Education Teachers Krida Bharati RSS Teacher Recruitment Education Protest
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