Don’t transfer teachers in middle of session, rules High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government not to issue any transfer order of a teacher during the mid-academic session.

Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed this order on a petition filed by a teacher alleging therein that he has been transferred in mid-academic session and it would affect the studies of the students. Taking a serious note on this, the court has directed the state government on September 3 to take appropriate decision in this regard.

During the course of hearing, the Additional Advocate General placed on record the affidavit filed on behalf of Secretary (Education) informing therein that in compliance to the directions passed by the court a meeting was convened under the chairmanship of the Secretary (Education) on September 7, 2024, which was attended by the Director, Higher Education, Director, Elementary Education and Joint Secretary (Education).

It was decided that the Director of Elementary Education was directed not to issue any transfer order during the mid-academic session and in case there is a need to transfer any teacher due to administrative reasons or to improve learning outcome in a particular school then the file, with complete justification, be put up to the Education Minister and Chief Minister for approval.

After perusing the same, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel observed, “In the light of this development, this petition is disposed of with direction that the decisions that have been taken in the meeting held on September 7, which have been quoted hereinabove, are adhered to in letter and spirit so that teachers are not discriminated in the matters of transfers, that is to say that all are treated with the same yardstick and until and unless, there are compelling circumstances, mid-academic session transfers be avoided.”