Teachers seek Teacher Transfer Policy before transfers are enforced

NOT AGAINST TRANSFERS, BUT HRDD MUST FOLLOW CRITERIA, VOICE TEACHERS
ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 22 May: A number of teachers assembled at the Sikkim Teachers’ Association office today to discuss matters related to the recent transfer of teachers by the Human Resource Development Department. The teachers are demanding formulation of a Teacher Transfer Policy [TTP] and want the latest round of transfers kept in abeyance till the TTP is cleared.
Speaking to media-persons today, president of the Association, Goverdhan Gurung stated that the demand for a Teacher Transfer Policy was submitted to the HRDD Secretary on 19 May as soon as information got out about the transfer of 146 excess teachers from East district.
He also alleged that the transfer orders are not based on any of the criteria of the HRDD. The Department however insists that the transfers are in line with the guidelines drafted in 2009.
These mid-term transfers may affect the quality of education, Mr Gurung adds. “We are expecting a response from the department by this afternoon”, he said further adding that the transfer orders released only carried the name of district and that the stamp of the Director was also missing.
STA secretary general, Tsewang Norbu Bhutia addressing the media stated that two demands, formation of Teacher Transfer Policy [TTP] and retention of transfer till the implementation of TTP have been placed with the HRD department.
“We are not against the transfers” expressed the teachers who have been transferred but informed that the transfers should be done following the criteria of the Department. “We all know that as teachers appointed by the department it is our duty to deliver education to students across the state and it is known to all that a government job is a transferable job which we support accordingly”, said one teacher.
The Association has also made an appeal not to add a political colour to this issue further stating that the matter will be solved within the department itself.