Software in, sifarish out for Himachal teachers’ transfer

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 12

The Himachal Pradesh Education Department has prepared a software to effect transfer of teachers. The step is aimed at eliminating political interference in transfers and putting an end to hegemony of influential teachers with political backing, who manage to stay put at stations of their choice for long.

The service record of teachers has been computerised, including posting details ever since their entry into the service. According to Director, Higher Education, Amarjeet Sharma, the state has been divided into five zones (A, B, C, D and E) on the basis of topographical conditions.

Zone “A” includes district headquarters, while zone “B” and zone “C” cover institutions within 20 km and 30 km, respectively, of the headquarters. Tribal areas have been placed in zone “D” and extremely backward areas in zone “E”.

The software prepared by the NIC will also put to end the practice of transfers through mutual consent. Teachers having served at category “A” stations for long might now have to move to remote areas. Women teachers will, however, not be posted at faraway stations.

Parameters have been set for giving points to teachers in recognition of their stints in tribal, hard, inaccessible, backward and other areas.