A few days ago, the Bihar government introduced a new transfer and posting policy for government school teachers, prioritizing those with serious illnesses and disabilities. Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar announced that all transfer applications must now be submitted exclusively online, as reported by PTI. The policy gives preference to teachers with health concerns, as well as those who are disabled, widowed, divorced, living alone, or part of a husband-wife teacher pair.
“The new transfer policy will bring uniformity to transfers and postings of teachers of government schools in the state.It will not only provide relief to teachers but will also improve the quality of education,” Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar said, as reported by PTI.
Additionally, as per reports, the minister specified that the number of female teachers in any school should not exceed 70%. He also emphasized that teachers must be transferred every five years, with the education department providing them with 10 location options to choose from, ensuring placements within their nearest subdivision or district.
This new policy has paved the way for the transfer and posting of over 1.80 lakh teachers who have passed competency tests across the state. However, it excludes teachers appointed by local municipal bodies who have not cleared the competency test, which is mandatory for educators seeking government school positions. The policy will only apply to teachers selected through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).
Despite the government’s intentions, the new manual has sparked opposition from the Teachers’ Union. According to a leading media report, the union argues that it is impractical to expect all teachers to be transferred within the same subdivision, as some may be required to work in different districts. Furthermore, the union expressed concerns over the removal of a previous concession that allowed female teachers to work in either their maternal or in-law’s districts, a provision that has been eliminated under the new policy.
The Teachers’ Union has called for a reconsideration of the manual, citing several challenges faced by teachers. The union believes the new rules are too restrictive and fail to account for the diverse needs of educators across the state.
As tensions rise, it remains to be seen whether the government will review the policy in response to the union’s demands or maintain its current stance.
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