Chandigarh, February 9
Frustrated at the “illogical” move of the Education Department to transfer 811 schoolteachers (women teachers to girls’ schools and male teachers to boys’ schools) 11 unions, under the banner of the Punjab and UT Mulazim Sangharsh Committee, will hold a protest march in Bathinda on February 11.
The transfer orders are to be implemented from April 1. The press secretary of the sangharsh committee, Teerath Singh Bassi, said the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation, the Government Teachers Union and the Democratic Teachers Front would take part.
Principal Lakhbir Singh from Jalandhar said that by doubting the integrity of teachers, the government had insulted them. He said male teachers with a clean record were among those shifted out of a girls’ school.
Lakhvir Singh Harike, Muktsar district president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said he had written to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, challenging the rationale for the transfers. “Certain tasks like extra-curricular activities and school trips are handled better by the male staff,” he argued.
Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka could not be contacted despite several attempts. Sources said the department had received complaints by schoolgirls in Bathinda and Ludhiana districts against certain male teachers. These teachers had now been shifted.
The DPI (SE), Kamal Garg, said: “The transfers are not meant to belittle the teachers. Not all male teachers have been shifted to boys’ schools. The transfers had been done for academic reasons. The department has started a campaign under which 200 teachers will visit different schools and speak on gender issues.” The protesting unions are also demanding that vacant posts be filled and their salaries revised.
Frustrated at the “illogical” move of the Education Department to transfer 811 schoolteachers (women teachers to girls’ schools and male teachers to boys’ schools) 11 unions, under the banner of the Punjab and UT Mulazim Sangharsh Committee, will hold a protest march in Bathinda on February 11.
The transfer orders are to be implemented from April 1. The press secretary of the sangharsh committee, Teerath Singh Bassi, said the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation, the Government Teachers Union and the Democratic Teachers Front would take part.
Principal Lakhbir Singh from Jalandhar said that by doubting the integrity of teachers, the government had insulted them. He said male teachers with a clean record were among those shifted out of a girls’ school.
Lakhvir Singh Harike, Muktsar district president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said he had written to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, challenging the rationale for the transfers. “Certain tasks like extra-curricular activities and school trips are handled better by the male staff,” he argued.
Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka could not be contacted despite several attempts. Sources said the department had received complaints by schoolgirls in Bathinda and Ludhiana districts against certain male teachers. These teachers had now been shifted.
The DPI (SE), Kamal Garg, said: “The transfers are not meant to belittle the teachers. Not all male teachers have been shifted to boys’ schools. The transfers had been done for academic reasons. The department has started a campaign under which 200 teachers will visit different schools and speak on gender issues.” The protesting unions are also demanding that vacant posts be filled and their salaries revised.
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