Cancel transfer of teachers; take action against officers defying direction: Atishi to education secretary

NEW DELHI: Delhi education minister Atishi has ordered cancellation of transfer of 5,000 school teachers and demanded action against officers of DoE who defied her previous directive. The minister recently issued a show-cause notice to the education secretary and the Directorate of Education for defying her instructions to withdraw the transfer order of teachers who have served more than 10 years in a school.

In a letter to the chief secretary, Atishi asked the DoE to immediately withdraw the transfer order issued on July 2 and put a hold on any further compulsory transfer of teachers merely because they have completed 10 years in a particular school.

“Initiate Disciplinary proceedings against the errant officers who willfully defied my direction dated July 1, 2024 with respect to implementation of compulsory transfer of teachers merely because they have completed 10 years in a particular school,” the minister said. She also requested to initiate vigilance inquiry against corruption and malpractice, if any, in the transfer issue of teachers.

Atishi argued that the matter is serious and will cause disruption in the academic environment and demanded an action taken report from the secretary within two days.

The education department had issued the order ‘online requests for transfer of teaching staff of the directorate of education’ under which all school teachers who have served over 10 years in the same schools were directed to compulsorily apply for transfer. In case they failed to apply, the teachers will be transferred to any school by the DoE, it said.

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Defiance of education minister's order

Atishi argued that the provision of compulsory transfer of a teacher serving in the the same school is a new rule which was introduced by the DoE in the transfer policy of teachers this year. Not only was the ‘significant policy’ decision taken by the DoE without her concurrence or consultation, her subsequent direction to withdraw this clause was also ignored, she said.

“On July 1, 2024, I clearly directed the Secretary (Education) to recall the aforementioned clause 16 and ensure that no teacher be transferred from any school only because she/he has completed more than 10 years in a particular school. However, on the night of July 2, 2024 a transfer order has been issued by the Directorate of Education whereby nearly 5000 teachers who did not apply for any transfer were transferred to other schools invoking this contentious clause,” the minister’s note to the secretary read.

She called the transfer a ‘blatant defiance’ of the direction of the education minister and a complete disregard to the spirit and provision of the National Education Policy 2020. She quoted section 5.3 of the NEP 2020 which says, "The harmful practice of excessive teacher transfers will be halted, so that students have continuity in their role models and educational environments. Transfers will occur in very special circumstances, as suitably laid down in a structured manner by State/UT governments. Furthermore, transfers will be conducted through an online computerized system that ensures transparency.”

Mass transfer of teachers

Atishi went on to say that the mass transfer to teachers will disrupt the entire school system as the school from where a particular teacher has been transferred and the school to which he or she has been transferred will be shaken in the process of building bonds with students, their parents and community."

And what purpose will such a momentous action going to serve? Transfers maybe required in exceptional circumstances to improve the environment in a school, but this mindless action is purely mechanical administrative device that will demotivate teachers, break down relationships between the teachers and the community and impact the academic performance of schools,” she remarked.

The transfer of teachers will serve only one objective of damaging the academic achievement of schools which will make a lifelong impact on the education and future of poor children studying in government schools, she stated.

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Atishi shared that many teachers have also reached out to her alleging that there has been unfair and corrupt practices in the mass transfer where some officers and employees of DoE have offered postings in the schools of their choice.

“Such is the level of fear of retaliatory action that these teachers are unwilling to lodge a formal complaint or state their allegation on record. Now this is a very serious matter, a blot on the functioning of Directorate of Education and goes against the "transparency" principle underlines by NEP 2020 with regard to teachers transfer,” the education minister lastly said.