Ahmedabad: Camp called off, teachers stranded

The last-minute cancellation of a district teachers' transfer camp, supposed to be held in the city on Thursday, has left primary school teachers in a lurch. Nearly 250 teachers, along with their families, had travelled from across the state to the city to participate in the district teachers' transfer camp. However, the education department, at the last minute, cancelled the camp. When the teachers tried to make enquiries of the officials, they were rudely snubbed. Soon after the incident, the teachers gathered at the training centre at Lal Darwaja to protest against the cancellation of the camp. This is second such incident within a week, the teachers alleged.

Sharing her experience, a primary school teacher from Junagadh, Deepavali Patel, said, "My family is moving to Ahmedabad which is why I want a transfer to Ahmedabad. This last-minute cancellation has not happened for the first time. On February 5 too, the camp was cancelled without us being informed.

Exams are nearing, it is not good on our part to take leave and travel outside our area. And when we somehow try to manage, this last-minute cancellation really affects us. Most of the teachers have travelled with their families and children, seeking transfers. The DPEO is not answering anything," added Patel.

While most of the teachers have returned home, Deepavali Patel and a few others have stayed back, hoping that the camp will be held within a day or two.

Ghanshyam Patel, another school teacher, from Bhavnagar lamented, "Teachers incur expenses to travel. Every now and then, the department cannot cancel the camp. How do teachers get back to their districts in one day and then attend school the next day?"