Punjab

Academic year: SED lifts ban on teachers’ transfer

Transfer orders will be issued from August 24 to 27. Teachers will have to report to their new schools till Aug 31

Our Correspondent July 28, 2016

According to the policy, teachers may apply for transfer on wedlock or disabled basis during a ban. However, they can only avail of this facility once during their service. Mutual transfers can also be allowed during a ban. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: The School Education Department (SED) has lifted the ban on transfer of schoolteachers. The deadline for applying for a transfer is August 13.

A letter issued by the SED on Wednesday states: “The competent authority has been pleased to approve lifting of the ban on posting/transfer of teaching staff with effect from July 27 and from August 19 for principals, headmasters, senior headmasters, headmistresses, senior headmistress.”

It further states that the transfer policy formulated in 2013 will be followed. It also gives a timeline for applying for transfers. According to the timeline, teachers can submit their applications for transfer before August 13. After their applications are scrutinised, a merit list will be displayed. Objections to the list could be removed from August 13 to August 23. Transfer orders will be issued from August 24 to August 27. Teachers will have to report to their new schools from August 27 to August 31.

Punjab Teachers’ Union (PTU) general secretary Rana Liaquat Ali said that teachers had been demanding for quite some time for the ban to be lifted. “It is a positive move by the government,” he said.

However, he criticised the schedule given by the department. “The SED has allowed very little time for submission of applications. They should have given at least a month for this purpose. Many teachers will likely be unable to submit their applications in time,” he said.

According to the transfer policy, single-seat schools teacher will not be able to apply for transfer. The policy also states that teachers have to complete three years of service before requesting a transfer.

According to the policy, teachers may apply for transfer on wedlock or disabled basis during a ban. However, they can only avail of this facility once during their service. Mutual transfers can also be allowed during a ban.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2016.