Min: Schoolteachers to get10 transfer options in state

Patna: State education minister Sunil Kumar on Monday said the govt was ready with the new transfer policy for teachers, prepared after comprehensive discussions and considering the needs and problems of the group. “Teachers will be posted by December under the new policy,” he said.
Teachers will have to upload their transfer applications to the education department’s portal and the dates in this regard will be announced later.However, the new policy will not apply to teachers appointed through local civic bodies. “Under the new transfer policy for teachers, they would get 10 choices and we will try to allot them home districts. All the teachers, including those who have cleared the competency test or joined through the Bihar Public Service Commission and even the old ones working since 1995 can apply under the new policy,” said the minister, adding the new policy was formulated to improve the quality of teachers and teaching in the state.
The minister said top priority would be given to those suffering from acute or severe illness or any form of physical disability. “Widows and single women will also get preference under the new transfer policy,” he said. Only certificates issued by the office of the civil surgeon for illness and disability would be applicable for transfer, the minister added.
Detailing the joining of teachers as per the new policy, the minister said, “It would be done during holidays in December to ensure the ongoing studies in various schools are not disrupted.” He explained that the process would take time because the number of teachers was very large and they wanted to give sufficient time to the teachers to upload their petitions to the department’s portal.
“For looking into loopholes, if any, and ensuring corrective measures in the policy, committees have also been formed at the district and divisional commissioner level to address various issues and concerns,” said the minister. He added that the committee at the district level would be headed by the district magistrate concerned.
Talking about contractual teachers, Kumar said, “After becoming govt employees, the govt expects them to function in a disciplined manner and focus on improving the quality of education in the state because, henceforth, they would also be entitled to the benefits on par with govt employees.”