HP: physical education teachers stage protest in Shimla over unfilled govt job vacancies

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 28 (ANI): Hundreds of unemployed trained physical education teachers staged a Vidhansabha Gherao protest in Shimla on Wednesday. Organised by the HP State Physical Education Trained Teachers Association, the demonstrators called for the filling up of over 870 advertised posts.

They have warned of a more aggressive protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence if their demands are not met within a month.

Ramesh Rajput, President of the Physical Education Trained Unemployed Teachers Association, told ANI that if the government does not fulfil their demands, they will protest along with their families outside the Chief Minister’s residence.

“This is our 14th day of protest. We want to meet the Chief Minister to address the 870 vacant posts. We are over 22,000 trained individuals in the state. There are more than 2,160 vacancies, and 870 posts have been advertised. If our demands are not met, we will protest with our families outside the Chief Minister’s residence. The government is merely passing the buck. We are giving them one month to act,” said Ramesh Rajput, President of the Physical Education Trained Unemployed Teachers Association.

Soniya, another protester, voiced concerns about the future of those pursuing higher education in physical education.

“I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in physical education. We are demanding that the advertised posts be filled. We have trained for many years and are left uncertain about our future. If you expect Olympic medals, you need to train students and athletes, which is only possible with physical education teachers,” Soniya said.