A notification issued by the state government a week ago said that the candidates, aspiring to appear in the examinations for the Head Teacher Aptitude Test (HTAT) to be conducted in the third week of February this year, must have passed the qualifying examinations for computer knowledge in accordance with the provisions of the Gujarat Civil Services Computer Competency Training and Examination Rules, 2006.

A new rank of the head teacher for primary schools like principals in secondary and higher secondary schools, was created some time ago under the amended Gujarat Primary Education Act of 1947.

With the new amendments, the head teachers would be appointed through promotion as well as direct recruitments. But the candidates must be computer literate in both the cases. The appointments by promotion and direct selection will be made in proportion of 1:1.

The maximum age limit in case of direct selection has been kept at 35 years, with certain relaxation for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe candidates as also for those to be selected through promotion.

The minimum educational qualification is graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, with a two-year certificate examination of primary teachers course.

According to deputy director (primary education) Bharat Pandit, applications for HTAT will be accepted online only.