KVS to crack whip on VIP push for staff transfers

NEW DELHI: The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, which runs more than 1,100 schools in India and abroad, will punish its employees if their transfer requests are endorsed or proposed by VIPS and influential relatives.

Sources said the rot in the system runs so deep that besides rampant requests for favourable transfers, employees use VIP references for incentives and to apply for national awards.

The Sangathan has warned teachers and members of the non-teaching staff of strict action if they indulge in any such practice.

“Some employees of KVS are bringing outside pressure or extraneous influence for getting transfers at their choice of station/place. They are approaching higher authorities and other important persons for recommending their cases to KVS for consideration. This practice is a clear violation of CCS conduct rules ... and must be stopped immediately,” states a letter in May by Santosh Kumar Mall, commissioner of the Sangathan.

There are 1,128 Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country with more than 55,000 teachers. These Centre-run KVS are considered premier schools, and their pass percentage is above the national average.

Sources said every year, mostly at the beginning of an academic session, teachers apply for transfer and new postings, and usually attach a VIP reference to their request.

TSR Subramanian, former cabinet secretary who headed the committee that prepared a blueprint of the new national education policy, had also referred to such political interferences that affect the quality and credibility of education.

He recommended that transfer, selection and promotion of teachers should be more transparent. Explaining the current system, a senior official said the Sangathan has modernised the transfer process this year and efforts have been made to make it employee-friendly and transparent. In May, the assist ant commissioner (establish ment) had cautioned teachers against lobbying for incentives and awards.

“Applications of employ ees for the purpose of awards through recommendations and references of VIPS will not be considered. In such cases, they will be barred for three years from applying for an award,” an official said.

Some employees of KVS are bringing outside pressure or extraneous influence for getting transfers at their choice of station/place... This practice is a clear violation of CCS conduct rules... and must be stopped immediately. SANTOSH KUMAR MALL, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan commissioner, in a letter