Petition challenging teacher transfers withdrawn; Aggrieved teachers plan to return with individual petitions

The writ petition filed by nine teachers on behalf of a collective group of 202 teachers challenging the transfer orders issued to them by the Human Resource Development Department was withdrawn on 10 February after about a half an hour long hearing in the High Court. This, on the suggestion of the Court that since the petition related to a service matter, it should ideally be presented in individual capacity and cannot be heard en-masse like a Public Interest Litigation. Following this, the petitioners withdrew the petition with the liberty to return to court again with individual petitions clubbed together with those making similar arguments.

CM underlines govt’s locals-first commitment, reiterates firm stand on teacher transfer row

Chamling inaugurates Jorethang Maghey Mela

JORETHANG, 15 Jan: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling inaugurated the State’s biggest Makar Sankranti fair, the Jorethang Maghey Mela 2015, here on 14 Jan, Wednesday. The fair has been organized thos year to showcase Sikkim’s organic farming potential, its pursuit of zero waste and is flavoured with the tradition and culture of the ethnic communities of the State. Also in attendance for the inaugural event this year was member North East Council, MP Bezbaruah, Speaker KN Rai, Ministers, MLAs, Chairpersons, Officers and foreign delegates.

BJP petitions Governor against Govt’s attitude towards employees

GANGTOK, 15 Jan: The Sikkim-unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has petitioned the Governor, seeking his intervention in addressing what the BJP sees as “unconstitutional moves” of the State Government against government employees. In a memorandum through its Sikkim-unit president Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa, the BJP has is “demanding immediate action against recent unconstitutional moves taken by the state Government”.

Teachers should welcome, not protest transfers

a ViewPoint by SANTOSH SUBBA on the teachers transfer row

A recent order for transfers of teachers has given rise to an unwarranted protest by some teachers in the garb of Sikkim Teachers Association or STA. They seem to have misunderstood the words “service” and “servant”. They are to render their service to the people irrespective of whether they are comfortable with the time and place where they are to render their service. Freedom for choice of place of work is available only in business and in entrepreneurship and for this, they must stop being a government servant and start a business, for, so long as they are government servants, they have to abide by all the rules laid down for government servants, transfer being one. The salary that they draw from the public exchequer every month is not for their comfort but for the service they have to render to the people.

Teacher transfers required to staff rural schools better and meet humanitarian commitments: CM

GANGTOK, 12 Jan: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has stated that the recent transfer of around 1,000 teachers in Sikkim was in pursuance of the government policy “of ensuring that most of the excess teachers who are now residing in many of the urban centres are transferred to fill vacancies in the rural schools”.
The explanation, an SDF press release informs, came at the central working committee meeting of the Sikkim Democratic Front chaired by Mr. Chamling in Gangtok on Sunday, 11 Jan.

Transferred teachers will surrender voter cards if fresh deadline also ignored: STA

GANGTOK, 09 Jan: Sikkim Teachers' Association has given a new deadline to the State government to roll back the recent transfer of teachers failing which the transferred teachers would surrender their voter cards and stay away from any election held in the State until their retirement. The teachers have asked the state government to roll back the transfer of 1063 teachers by 17 January otherwise they will surrender their voter cards to the State Election Commission starting from 19 January and not cast their votes in any of the elections to come until their demands are met.
This was decided in a meeting held today after the earlier deadline given to the state government lapsed on 08 January and the subsequent meeting with the HRD Secretary did not bear any fruit.

Schools close, SDF and SKM open debate on teacher transfers

GANGTOK, 06 Jan: Sikkim Democratic Front party has reiterated that the state government has made its stand and the objective behind the teacher transfers clear and that the opposition is only trying to politicize the issue to serve its selfish interests. The SKM, meanwhile, has rejected the SDF explanation as illogical and unacceptable.

140 out of 146 transferred PRTs have joined duty

GANGTOK, 30 July: Out of the 146 Primary Regular Teachers [PRTs] who had been transferred in May 2012 by the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD] from the East District to join as teachers in the other three districts, 140 have reported to their respective schools and have joined duty, informed HRDD Secretary, CS Rao, while speaking to NOW! today.
The HRD Department had taken out transfer orders for 146 excess PRTs in the East District who had been given postings in the other three districts as there was a need of PRTs in schools in the districts [65 in South, 65 in West and 15 in North], he said and added as on date out of the 146 teachers transferred 140 had joined their respective duties.
One of the six teachers has applied for VRS [Voluntary Retirement Scheme] while four others are in the process of applying for VRS, the Secretary informed, adding that the transfer of one teacher was withdrawn because his eyesight was failing so he was granted permission to remain in his present place of posting.

Teachers seek written assurance on Transfer Policy to end transfer deadlock

GANGTOK, 01 June: The two teacher associations Sikkim Teachers’ Association [STA] and Sikkim United Teachers’ Welfare Association [SUTWA] after meeting with the Secretary Human Resource Development (HRD), C S Rao today told reporters here at Gangtok that they still stand by their demand to formulate a clear-cut transfer policy for teachers before leaving for their respective places of posting.
They said that only after the department assures them in writing that it will formulate a transfer policy and get approval from the government within a stipulated time period will the 146 transferred Primary Regular Teachers (PRTs) report to their respective places of posting. STA president, Goverdhan Gurung stressed that the department has to give the assurance in writing.
Out of the 146 excess PRTs from East Sikkim transferred to schools with shortage in West, South and North districts, only 26 have reported to their new postings.
Mr. Gurung said that the teaching faculty here has realized that their colleagues in the other three districts are battling with acute pressure given the shortage of teachers, but the association and transferred teachers [whom he refers to as “aggrieved”] want a rational policy on transfers, not just for now but for the future a well.
Mr Gurung stressed that teachers are ready to cooperate with the department and work towards imparting quality education in the state but a uniform policy applicable to all without any bias is required.
Speaking on assurances from the state government or from the Chief Minister, Mr Gurung informed that they have been trying to get an appointment with the Chief Minister, but it has not materialized thus far. He further expressed hope that if they do get an appointment, they will definitely convince the CM.
General secretary, STA, Chewang Bhutia said that in 2009, the department had assured the teachers to formulate a rational transfer policy applicable to all, adding that the department had formulated five criteria for transfers which had been submitted to the Cabinet. However, the Cabinet had sent it back to the department asking for further elaboration but till date the department has failed to resubmit the proposal to adopt a rational and fair transfer policy in Sikkim.
A section of the transferred teachers are also seeking legal counsel on the matter.
On the other hand, the department has made it clear that the transferred teachers should join their postings as early as possible to avoid disciplinary action.
The teachers associations have called a meeting of all transferred teachers at Tathangchen on Sunday to deliberate on the future course of action regarding the transfer policy.

Only 7/65 teachers in West and 15/65 in South have joined duty thus far

NAMCHI, 31 May: The HRDD Joint Directors of West and South district today informed that out of the 65 Primary Teachers transferred to each of the two districts recently, only 7 have joined duty in West while 15 have joined duty in South till date. These figures were given by Joint Director HRDD West, CK Katuwal and Joint Director HRDD South, Bimla Rai.
There is obviously some miscommunication because HRDD officials here in Gangtok had provided different figures on Wednesday wherein it was informed that 35 had joined in West district and 30 in South district.
While speaking to NOW!, Joint Director, West, said that, transferred teachers are reporting to her office to obtain their places of posting as per the transfer orders and have been sent to the schools which are facing shortage of primary teachers. The Joint Director further informed that there are total 240 schools in West Sikkim including a monastic school which have primary level classes.
She added that there was a total shortage of 127 primary teachers in West out of which 7 posts have been filled with the joining of the recently transferred teachers. She also informed that following the implementation of the RTE Act, a total 55 Lower Primary Schools of West Sikkim were upgraded to Primary Schools which has also increased the teacher requirement there.
She further said that most of the primary schools in remote corners of the district were facing shortage of teachers and hence the department was focusing on the same. Welcoming the teachers recently transferred to West Sikkim she said “We just need teachers to fill the shortage even if it is through adhoc teachers. I can understand the problem of the teachers but for the well being of the poor and needy students we have to work together”.
Similarly, Joint Director, South, Bimla Rai informed that there are total 236 schools in South Sikkim providing primary level education and the district at present was facing a shortage of 136 primary teachers. Till date, 15 have joined duty following their transfer from East Sikkim, she informed.
She also appealed to the department that male teachers in the age group between 30-40 years be given preference for the transfers so that they can go to the rural schools of the district. In this regard, she mentioned that most of the teachers who have reported for duty thus far were female teachers and some of them had serious medical problems making it difficult to send them to schools located in remote areas.
Further mentioning that some of the schools in South do not even have a single teacher, Ms Rai stated that now she has managed at least one teacher in some of the primary schools of the district. Both the District heads of HRDD informed that most of the rural schools were facing shortage of teachers which is hampering the delivery of education to rural students.
Keeping this in mind they are requesting the teachers to take it as a challenge and come to such primary schools. They also welcomed and thanked those teachers who have complied with the department’s decision on transfers.

69 of the 146 transferred PRTs join duty

GANGTOK, 30 May: Out of the 146 excess Primary Regular Teachers in East Sikkim recently transferred by the HRDD to other districts, barely half of them have joined duty in their respective places of posting till today.
The department had transferred 65 teachers each to the West and South district and 16 to the North district. It is informed that 35 of the transferred teachers have joined duty in West Sikkim, 30 in South and 4 in North. The remaining 77 teachers are yet to join duty.
Officials at the HRDD further inform that some teachers have intimated the head office here that they will be reporting to their new places of work over the weekend.
The department had earlier, on 23 May, asked the PRTs to report to the respective Joint Directors of the districts to obtain their places of posting within the stipulated period [10 days from receipt of transfer orders] or face disciplinary action Sikkim Government Servants [Discipline and Appeal] Rule. The teachers and their association has protested the transfers demanding that a clear transfer policy be framed before transfers are effected.

North welcomes teacher transfers

MANGAN, 28 May: Pipons of Lachen and Lachung, all Panchayats and School Management Committee (SMC) members have welcomed the government’s decision to transfer excess teachers to their district.
In the Lachen-Mangan constituency of North Sikkim, several schools are facing problems due to shortage of teachers and it was a long pending demand of the constituency’s public. Under the Right to Education (RTE), all students have a right to education and literacy. To achieve the target under the literacy mission programme this decision of the State government will be very fruitful for the whole State, expressed the public.
The North District has a shortage of 19 primary regular teachers. The Department has transferred 16 excess teachers from East Sikkim to the North district. The teachers and their associations are however protesting the transfers and have not reported to their new posts yet.

Teachers reiterate demand for Transfer Policy ahead of tranfers

GANGTOK, 27 May: The Joint Action Committee of Sikkim Teachers’ Association and Sikkim United Teachers’ Welfare Association has reiterated its stand demanding a clear-cut transfer policy before teacher teachers are implemented. The HRD Department, it may be recalled, has transferred 146 excess primary regular teachers from East district to fill part of the shortage in schools in the remaining three districts. The move has not gone down well with the transferred teachers and their representative organizations even as schools in the districts have welcomed it.
In a press statement issued today, Bhanu Pradhan, the STA publicity secretary, informs that the teachers have apprised the HRD Minister and Secretary of their demand that a clear transfer policy, one which did not favour any section, be adopted before transfers are undertaken.  
The release adds that the teachers are hopeful that once the Chief Minister returns from New Delhi, the grievances of transferred teachers will be heard and resolved on priority basis.
The JAC of teacher associations also makes it a point to state that they were ready to serve anywhere in Sikkim if transfers are undertaken as per a proper policy, adding that the teachers have been demanding a fair transfer policy in Sikkim for a long time now.
They also appreciated the government effort to make quality elementary education a priority and are convinced that the Chief Minister will address the teacher grievances and requirements of students effectively.

JHS Heads thank HRDD for teacher transfers

GANGTOK, 24 May: The Sikkim Junior High School Headmasters Association, especially its members from South and West districts, have welcomed the HRD Department’s decision to transfer excess teachers from East Sikkim to understaffed schools in the remaining three districts. 146 surplus primary regular teachers from schools around East Sikkim have been transferred to West, South and North Sikkim, it may be recalled.
“We, the Heads of Junior High Schools of South and West Sikkim, appreciate the HRD Department and Ministry for their decision to transfer excess teachers to our districts. This decision will truly help to impart the so called ‘quality education’ to our poor children,” the release states.
The release goes on to thank the Government “for being kind enough to consider the need of our children”.
“Now, we believe that we can really achieve the educational goals as our Government itself is so serious about the education of our children,” the release concludes.

Will take action against defiant teachers, says HRDD

TRANSFERRED TEACHERS TO REPORT TO DISTRICT JOINT DIRECTORS OR FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION
GANGTOK, 23 May: Taking a firm stand the Human Resource Development Department has asked all the 146 transferred Primary Regular Teachers (PRTs) to report to their respective Joint Directors of the Districts to obtain their exact places of postings within the stipulated period [10 days from date of receipt of transfer orders]. The Department has made it clear that it will be compelled to initiate necessary action against teachers who remain defiant and ignore their transfer orders.
The HRDD Secretary, CS Rao, while admitting that “few teachers” are not satisfied with the transfers, said today that if the transferred teachers did not report to the respective district Joint Directors within the stipulated time, the department will be compelled to initiate necessary disciplinary action under the Sikkim Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rule against the defaulters.
He added that the transferred teachers should bear in mind the importance of education for students of other districts and treat the transfers as part of their service. The Secretary further expressed hope of cooperation from the teachers once they join their respective new places of work.
In a press release issued today the Secretary points out that schools in West, South and North districts were facing a collective shortage of 282 primary regular teachers – 127 short in West, 136 short in South and 19 in North Sikkim schools.
“Our teachers should also give importance to the students studying in other districts as they are also part of our State and future of our State. The students in the three districts should also not be deprived of their right to education.... Please treat it as a service to our State because the children studying here are our future. In this regard your kind cooperation will highly be appreciated,” the Secretary states in the appeal.
On the other hand, Sikkim Teachers Association has reiterated that they were not against the transfers as such, but believe that these must be carried out in accordance with a well-defined transfer policy which is yet to be framed by the HRD Department.
The STA president, Goverdhan Gurung, and general secretary, Chewang Norbu Bhutia, while speaking to media persons today stated that the blame for over-staffing of teachers in the East district schools should be equally shared by the Department.
“Favouring near and dear ones of people with power in transfers in the past has been the root cause of the problem,” they stated.
Mr. Gurung regretted that a mid-session mass transfer has been affected by the Department without adhering to its own guidelines notified in 2009. “This has not only caused hardships to a good number of teachers but is likely to disturb the continuity in children’s education,” he contended.
The teachers have demanded that transfer orders be issued at the end of an academic session and not midterm like this time.
“Nine senior teachers who are above 50 years of age have also been transferred, violating its own guidelines of 2009,” informed Mr. Bhutia adding that the guidelines notified in 2009 were not followed while transferring the 146 teachers.
They further informed that HRD Minister, NK Pradhan has also refused to intervene in the matter and asked the teachers to abide by the transfer orders. However, the Minister admitted that the points raised by the STA are genuine and assured to consider them in the future, they added.

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.

Transfers processed, HRDD now plans recruitments to meet teacher shortage

WITH 136 PRIMARY REGULAR TEACHERS STILL REQUIRED AND WITH SLEW OF RETIREMENTS ON THE ANVIL, HRDD MOVES PROPOSAL FOR FRESH RECRUITMENTS


VISHNU NEOPANEY
GANGTOK, 21 May: In view of the acute shortage of teachers and for improving the delivery of education to students in rural areas the Human Resource and Development Department [HRDD] has transferred over 146 Primary Regular Teachers (PRTs), recorded as excess in East district, to the other three districts which have reported shortage. Even if all the transferred teachers abide by their transfer orders, the short-fall will not be completely met [although it would ease the situation substantially], and for this, the Department has already begun processing the hiring of more teachers, it is informed.
Secretary, HRDD, CS Rao, while speaking to NOW! today, informed that the department has worked out the number of excess teachers in East district and transferred them. He informed that 65 teachers each have been transferred to South and West districts, while 16 teachers have been transferred to North.
Interestingly, the transfer orders mention only the district and the actual placement will be arranged by the concerned district offices as per directions from the headquarters.
In all cases, transfers are issued on ‘first come, first go’ basis, as enumerated in the guidelines adopted by the Department in 2009. Under this clause, those teachers who report to the department first can choose the place of posting in the district they have been transferred to.
The Secretary stated that the transfers have been made strictly as per the 2009 guidelines “without any bias”. According to these guidelines, teachers who have served for more than five years in a particular school and only those below 50 years of age can be transferred. Recommendation of the head of school is also required in case of posting of excess teachers while consideration is made for married teachers to be posted in areas near their spouses.
At present, the department is running short of 282 Primary Regular Teachers- 136 in South, 127 in West and 19 in North and once these 146 excess teachers have been posted and transferred, at least the schools can run better, the Secretary said.
“The government wants to treat all students equally whether they are Gangtok-based or in remote areas of West district. There should not be any problem with teachers being transferred to remote areas and the department is hopeful that transferred teachers will cooperate with the decision of the government and department,” the Secretary stated.
Mr. Rao pointed out further that over the next two years, between 15-20 percent teachers will be retiring and the Department is planning to phase-out those shortages and has already floated a proposal with the Planning Department for new recruitments.
Meanwhile, the Secretary informs that the department will be appointing 157 Graduate Teachers (43 Science, 41 Mathematics and 75 Arts) within this week and that 70 percent of the newly recruited teachers have completed police verifications.

146 East district teachers transferred

GANGTOK, 20 May: The Human Resource Development Department [HRDD] has been seriously working to address the problem of shortage of teachers in North, West and South districts.
A press release issued by the HRD Minister, NK Pradhan, explains that at present West Sikkim is facing a shortage of 127 teachers, South Sikkim has shortage of 136 teachers and North Sikkim 19 teachers. The release informs that in order to cover the shortage of 282 teachers, the Government has decided to transfer 280 excess teachers in East Sikkim to these three districts.
In the first list, a total of 146 teachers were transferred and the transfer orders of the rest of the teachers will be taken out in the second list, it is informed.
In view of the demands to fulfill the shortage of teachers in West, South and North districts that have been coming to the Government constantly from students, parents, heads of schools, school management committees and Panchayat members, the government has decided to transfer these excess teachers, the release informs.
Mentioning that this government step has been criticized by some sections of the people, the Minister has sought the support of the teaching fraternity for the brighter future of students of rural Sikkim.