ABVP Strongly Opposes Himachal Pradesh’s Guest Teacher Policy.
Shimla:
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has strongly opposed the Himachal Pradesh government’s newly proposed Guest Teacher Policy. The student organization argues that this policy will disrupt the process of permanent teacher appointments and negatively affect the quality of education in the state.
Recently approved by the state cabinet, the policy is set to be implemented in April 2025. It proposes paying teachers on a per-period basis, but the ABVP highlights several flaws in the policy that it believes will harm the education system.
Vishal Thakur, the ABVP’s School Student Affairs Coordinator, criticized the government for failing to live up to its promises. He pointed out that while the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government had promised to provide 5 lakh jobs, it is now reluctant to fill thousands of government teaching positions, opting instead for the Guest Teacher system. He warned that if the government does not reverse this decision, ABVP will launch a vigorous protest.
Thakur also emphasized that the Guest Teacher Policy is a temporary measure that prioritizes short-term solutions over permanent appointments, leaving thousands of unemployed youth without job security. This, he argued, could adversely impact the quality of education and jeopardize students’ futures. Furthermore, the low wages and unstable job conditions for guest teachers could lead to exploitation and undermine their professional rights.
The ABVP is calling for the immediate start of permanent teacher recruitment processes and the development of a solid policy that prioritizes the welfare of both students and teachers. Thakur warned that if the government does not revoke the policy, ABVP will organize statewide protests to safeguard the interests of the education sector.
