Cong MLA takes up teacher transfer, promotion policy in Vidhan Sabha
The recent teacher promotion and transfer policy of Punjab government has drawn sharp criticism from educators and political leaders alike. Congress MLA from Phagwara, Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, raised strong objections to the policy in the Assembly, questioning its effectiveness and fairness.
Under the new policy, nearly 1,800 teachers and headmasters have been promoted. However, many of these educators have been transferred to remote locations, prompting widespread discontent. Dhaliwal highlighted that approximately 600 teachers have declined their promotions due to these long-distance transfers.
“In Phagwara alone, 19 teachers have been promoted, yet only three have been posted in the School of Eminence in Phagwara, while the remaining have been transferred to distant districts,” Dhaliwal stated.
The issue extends to headmasters as well. Out of the 460 headmasters promoted across Punjab, the transfer policy has left 10 out of 14 government high schools in Phagwara without a headmaster. This situation raises concerns about administrative efficiency and student performance.
Dhaliwal further criticised the policy for its lack of transparency, pointing out that while lecturers were given the option to choose their stations, only urban postings were displayed on the selection website. No rural school postings were available, raising questions about the fairness of the process.
Another controversial aspect of the policy is the decision to assign principals only to schools with more than 300 students. Dhaliwal argued that eliminating principal positions in smaller schools could severely impact school administration and overall academic performance.
Additionally, he highlighted the hardships faced by women teachers and those with families. “For teachers with small children, relocating to another city is not feasible. In an unfamiliar city, how will women teachers balance their work and home responsibilities,” he asked. He also warned that posting the sole earning member of a family in another district could lead to financial and emotional distress during emergencies.
The policy has also led to mental stress among teachers, affecting their efficiency in classrooms. “Many teachers are refusing their new postings, resulting in staff shortages and disrupting students’ education,” Dhaliwal said.
With the new academic session for 2025-26 approaching, Dhaliwal urged the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to reconsider the policy and implement a transfer radius of 50-60 km from the home district of teachers. “If the government fails to act, it will be clear that its intention is not to grant promotions but to discourage teachers from accepting them by imposing difficult transfers,” he asserted.
