New transfer policy: Compulsory rural transfer for teachers serving for more than 10 years

For the first time a zonal system has been introduced for teachers’ transfer in the new transfer policy. Those serving for more than 10 years in BBMP, metropolitan regions will be compulsorily transferred to rural areas. The total number of teachers in the State is 3.50 lakh. There are 1.86 government teachers. Call for online applications for transfers from September 20.   

The State Government has published the teachers’ transfer policy, which is described more as an ‘eviction notice’ for teachers who are in one place for over 10 years, reported Kannada Prabha.

For the first time a zonal system has been introduced for teachers’ transfer.  Accordingly, teachers who are serving for more than 10 years in BBMP and metropolitan regions will be compulsorily transferred to rural areas.  Those completed 10 years of service in municipality towns will be transferred to metropolitan cities. Rural teachers can be transferred to towns.

The system is actually a modification of the unit system which was already in practice.  Until now the transfers were within the taluks for taluk level teachers.  In the new policy taluk teachers can be transferred to any part of the district in which they are serving. In case the teachers want a transfer to a different district they can be transferred within the revenue sector of the respective districts. Those who wish a transfer outside the zone, for instance Mysuru zone teacher desirous of going to Belagavi, they can be transferred as per their wish.

The total number of teachers in the State is 3.50 lakh. There are 1.86 government teachers. Of them 40,000 are serving in the metropolitan cities. Those serving in the metropolitan cities since 10 years have to go to rural regions, said the officers.

The State Government has given 15 days’ time to submit objections to the new policy, after which the final order will be passed.  It has also been decided to call for online applications for transfers from September 20.  After a quick verification, the process will be completed by October or November, the government has decided.

The Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulations of Transfer of Teachers) Amendment Act has been implemented considering the transfers of teachers only.  By issuing transfer orders based on this, the government is implementing a new policy after 14 years.  

Normally the government was permitting only 8 percent transfers and with the new policy it has gone up to 15 percent.  Those serving in one place for more than 10 years will be compulsorily transferred.

For instance if a teacher is serving in Zone A (Metropolitan cities) for 10 years, he or she will be transferred to a rural area (Zone C). Similarly teacher from Zone C will be transferred to Zone A. From Zone B to Zone B etc. As per rule 4  it will be compulsory transfer for those serving in Zone A to Zone B and from Zone B to Zone C.  However, preference will be given to differently abled, requesting transfer on health ground, wife, husband, widow and widower and special cases, said the officials.