HYDERABAD: The government order and guidelines on the long-due and imminent counselling for transfer of teachers working in State-run schools has evoked a mixed response from the teaching fraternity. For the first time, teacher transfers will be done online via web counselling — a procedure that has left a large number of teachers apprehensive about its efficacy and efficiency. Several associations are against the process as they are wary of technical glitches.
English teacher T Srinivas said teachers are panicking as they are not well versed with technology and fear glitches. “How vacancies will be shown, how to choose the options, if the deserving candidates will get the location he/ she opted for etc. are some of the worries of teachers,” he said. It may be recalled that a couple of years ago AP introduced this process. But it reverted to manual counselling soon.
After 2009 this is the first time that such a large number of teachers will be affected by the transfers. Nearly 60,000 teachers are likely to be affected in the state of which over 2,000 teachers from the city will be opting for new postings. Sarotham Reddy, president of Progressive Recognised Teachers Union Telangana State said the government might not be ready to undertake transfers on such a large scale.
“Giving three days for teachers to exercise web options is less considering there can be be power outages particularly in rural areas,” he said. While teachers who have completed 2 years of service in one particular post may apply for transfer if they wish, it is compulsory for those with eight years of experience in case of teachers and five years in case of headmasters.
Male teacher below 50 years of age working in Girls High Schools also fall in this bracket. In addition, rules pertaining to spouses is another problem. If both husband wife are working for Department of Education and fall under the criteria who have to compulsorily apply for transfer, they will not be given any consideration. “Only one spouse can claim the 10 points. There is also no guarantee that they will be transferred to nearby places,” said Ch Ravi, general secretary, TS United Teachers Federation.