Date:05/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/05/stories/2007040512330400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Order banning inter-district transfer of teachers soon

Special Correspondent

Frequent transfers have created shortage of staff in some schools: Horatti

6,000 primary school teachers to be appointed soon

`Government schools in rural areas neglected'

BANGALORE: Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that the Government had decided to issue an order banning inter-district transfer of primary and high school teachers.

In reply to a question by Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha) during question hour, Mr. Horatti said teachers posted to one district would not be transferred to other districts in the future. Frequent transfer of teachers from one district to another had created shortage of staff in some schools, particularly in north Karnataka, he said.

The Government was planning to formulate a new transfer policy to regulate transfer of teachers. Now, no rules were being followed in the transfers. The department had received 61,000 applications seeking transfers in 2006-07. Transfer of teachers would be done through counselling in the future, Mr. Horrati said.

Dissatisfied with the Minister's statement, C.S. Putte Gowda (JD-S) demanded the Government to rescind its decision on inter-district transfers, as it would divide families.

Mr. Nagaraj and Amaregouda Patil Bayyapur (JD-S) criticised the Minister for not following rules and regulations in the transfer of teachers. No recruitment had been made for the vacant non-teaching posts, they said and demanded that the Government announce a new transfer policy.

To a question by Lalji R. Mendon (BJP), Mr. Horatti said orders would be issued soon to 6,000 candidates appointing them as primary school teachers.

Steps had been taken for recruiting 2,600 high school and 6,000 junior college teachers.