Punjab: Keeping in mind the demand of teachers, the Education Department has issued a notification inviting online applications for transfer of teaching, non-teaching and computer faculty in government schools. Generally, the transfer process is done in the months of May-June, when schools are in mid-session. But this time the transfer process will be completed before the start of the new academic session. The move aims to combat the problem of staff shortage and ease the process of transfer for teaching and non-teaching staff.
According to the letter issued by the department, eligible teachers who are interested in transfer can apply online from March 12 to March 19, 2024. Similarly, eligible non-teaching and computer faculty applicants have been asked to apply online at ePunjabSchool portal. Updating their general details, service records etc. by the said dates. As per the revised policy, transfers will be made only once a year and this policy will be applicable to all teaching cadre posts.
Last year, the education department had faced criticism from the teaching cadre over the mid-session transfer of teachers to Eminence schools, with teachers protesting the decision, calling it a ‘violation of its policy’. One of the biggest challenges faced by the education department and the state government in terms of government schools is the shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff, with reports showing that a large number of teacher posts are vacant in government schools. Currently, there are around 12,000 vacancies (data shared by teachers unions), with the highest number of vacancies for Junior Basic Training or Initial Teacher Training teachers, followed by Master Cadre, Head Teacher and Headmaster.
