Online transfer drive leaves schoolteachers high and dry

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 23

The School Education Department’s decision of beginning online transfer drive without first updating the profile of teachers with regards to new zones of schools they have already served in has left those interested in seeking transfers high and dry.

Some teachers alleged that though they were interested in transfer, they could not give the option because the amended zones of the schools they had already served in could not be updated in their profile till July 22 (11.59pm), the last minute prescribed for this.

“I am working in a school falling in zone 7 and wanted transfer to another school that falls in zone 2. Normally, that school could not have been given to me because the school I served in a decade back also falls in zone 2. However, that school has now been placed in zone 6 under the amended zoning exercise done by the department making me eligible for the school of my choice. But since my profile on the government’s MIS portal has not been updated with regard to zoning, I have not been able to give my willingness for the transfer till the last minute prescribed for it,” said a teacher from Hisar.

Several other teachers have complained of similar situation and say that though the department has released a list of revised zoning of schools, they have not updated online profiles of teachers that show the zones of schools they have already served.

Under the online transfer schedule released by the department for headmasters, postgraduate teachers, lecturers and elementary school headmasters, the teachers were supposed to give option for voluntary transfer till July 22 (11.59 pm).

The moment they show interest in participating the drive, the school they are presently serving becomes a deemed vacancy.

The teachers will give options of schools from this evening till July 26 (11.59 pm), while the computers generated list will come out on July 27.

The department has divided schools in seven zones depending on distance from the town and a teacher can remain in one particular zone for a maximum of 5 years.

The department revised zoning of schools on June 23, but teachers’ profiles are yet to be updated for that.

Additional Chief Secretary (School Education) PK Das, however, says that teachers would need it only at the time of filling options and the profiles will be updated by then.