These aren’t just random vacancies. They were officially sanctioned in January. The plan? One physical education teacher in each of 4,860 cluster schools. But when the recruitment went live on the Pavitra Portal, they were nowhere to be found. BPEd graduates who’ve waited since 2014 for a chance are furious. Some even protested at Azad Maidan earlier this year. Right now, many schools rely on contractual workers earning ₹150/day; a situation education experts say is hurting student development. The Maharashtra Yuva Sharirik Shikshan Mahasangh has officially demanded these posts be added. Their argument? Physical education isn’t an afterthought; it’s part of holistic learning. And here’s the twist: the portal’s been so overloaded with applicants, the government had to extend the deadline. Yet, the sports teacher posts? Still untouched. This isn’t just about jobs. It’s about what we value in education. When sports teachers are treated like optional extras, what message does that send to students; especially in a state that produces so many athletes? The quiet exclusion of 4,860 posts might seem small on paper. But for those waiting, it’s a broken promise.