Teachers with own kids in govt schools, good results to get a say in transfers
CHANDIGARH: In an effort to improve the quality of education, the Punjab government has decided to give preference to teachers who have delivered good results and those who send their children to governmentrun schools in transfer and postings in the state.
This is part of the Teacher Transfer Policy 2018 put up by the school education department on its website. It will be applicable on all teaching cadre posts, including elementary teacher training (ETT), classical and vernacular language (C&V), master, lecturer, vocational master, principals and headmasters.
The twin initiatives are significant, as government school teachers placing their children in private schools is often seen as an evidence of the dismal quality of teaching in state-run schools.
“The policy has been put out for feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders within 15 days. If there are some good suggestions, we will include them. The policy will come into effect from April 1,” said school education secretary Krishan Kumar.
Also, says the policy, schools will be categorised into five zones — those within municipal area; within 10km radius of boundary of municipal area of the district headquarters town/city; schools in the town that is tehsil (subdivision) headquarters; those on national or state highways; and the rest – for the purpose of transfer of teachers.
POINT SYSTEM
In a first, the transfers will be carried out online once in a year, except in cases of administrative exigency such as adverse pupil-teacher ratio and disciplinary issues, on a point system. Teachers will be awarded points out of 200 points on age, length of service, performance, special categories, among other criteria.
The teacher earning highest points will be entitled to be transferred against a particular vacancy as per his or her preference.
“Length of service will be an important factor with weightage of 85 points; special emphasis has also been laid on performance with weightage of 50 points for results, school grading and annual confidential report,” shared a department official, who did not want to be named on account of not being authorised to speak with the media.
“Teachers giving good results in board examinations or under the learning enhancement programme (Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab) will benefit.”
Teachers whose children are studying in state-run schools will get upto 15 points. Special category teachers such as women, widows, differentlyabled or those with ailment will get additional points.
The policy warns teachers against using outside influence for postings. If such an influence from whichever source is received, the teacher will not be considered and action will be initiated under the conduct rules with an entry in his or her services record, it reads.