Teachers cry foul over selection norms for foreign exposure trip

The Himachal Pradesh Teachers’ Association (HPTA) has raised concerns over the selection criteria for teachers chosen for a foreign exposure visit and has urged Education Minister Rohit Thakur and Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar to address the issue.

Speaking at a press conference, HPTA president Virender Chauhan revealed that the association had submitted a 38-point demand charter to the directors of elementary and higher education but had received no response or opportunity for discussion.

“If the directors fail to hold discussions with us on these issues within a month, we will stage a protest and gherao the directorate,” Chauhan warned.

The HPTA has also called on the government to consult teachers before making decisions regarding the reconstitution of the Education Directorate. Additionally, the association demanded the immediate release of the pending promotion list for teachers.

The association voiced its opposition to the recent move to delegate the power to declare school vacations to deputy commissioners, insisting that this authority should remain with the Director of Education.

The HPTA has urged the authorities to take these concerns seriously to avoid further escalation of protests.