Teachers oppose bulk transfers

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 20

While the state government promised to pay heed to the demands of teachers’ union, including the formulation of a proper transfer policy, the release of transfer orders of over 2,400 teachers in Punjab on Thursday have baffled the teachers’ union.

The instructions issued by the Education Department on Friday transferred the school staff including lecturers, master cadre, headmasters, primary teachers, principals and computer faculty to reach the new stations within two days.

Education Minister Om Prakash Soni, while speaking to The Tribune, said: “The transfer orders of the school staff came now, but the process was on for a month. We have transferred teachers against vacant posts, so that resources can be better optimised. The union demands are still on hold, as they wanted the clause of teachers’ transfer after every seven years revoked. We are yet to decide on that.”

As many as 28 principals, 33 computer faculty, 1,001 primary teachers, 23 headmasters, 1,068 master cadre and 353 lecturers have been transferred.

Co-convener of Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha Didar Singh Mudki said: “During one of the meetings with the Chief Minister, we asked the panel to formulate a transfer policy by considering the suggestion of teachers. The policy was to be framed in a way that a deserving candidate gets the priority in transfers without anyone’s influence. We were told that forms will be given to teachers for transfer. However, we did not receive any forms or official notice for transfers. We were waiting to apply for transfers and this happened. It was proposed that transfers should be at the start of the session and only special cases be dealt with mid-session.”

Nahar Principal of GSSS, Payal, Ludhiana, who has been now transferred to GSSS, Lohara, said: “I wanted a transfer, as I had to travel long distance. I wrote an application to the department for the transfer.”

Ramanjit Sandhu, District Committee member of the Democratic Teacher Front, said: “In my 22-year long service, never have I witnessed such bulk transfers, that too, without any prior notification. The date used to be announced by the state government and all employees were given a chance to apply. Those who wanted a transfer kept asking when the transfers would open. The procedure of transfer is questionable this time, as it has been done discreetly. There are teachers, who travel 60-80 km every day and needed transfers.”