Major changes in primary teacher transfers: 'Dignitaries' excluded, 7 new conditions added

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has brought major changes to the transfer and posting system of government primary school teachers. Following widespread criticism, the provision of keeping 'dignitaries' (prominent figures) in the transfer committee has been scrapped. Instead, two 'education enthusiasts' or 'education-loving' individuals have been included in the committee. Along with this, seven new conditions have been added to ensure transparency and accountability in the teacher transfer process.

According to ministry sources, the amended guidelines were issued last Thursday. As per the new policy, two 'education enthusiasts' or 'education-loving' individuals nominated by the chairperson will serve as members of the upazila, district, and divisional level transfer committees. The chairmanship of the national level transfer committee has also been changed. From now on, the Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Primary Education will lead this committee.

Under the new conditions, an assistant teacher cannot apply for a transfer before completing two years of service. Once transferred, they must wait three years before applying again. Transfers will only be allowed against vacant posts, and generally, no transfer will be made without an application from the concerned teacher. However, transfers can be made in the public interest or for administrative needs with the approval of the national committee.

Furthermore, teachers cannot be transferred from schools that have five or fewer teachers, or where the teacher-student ratio exceeds 1:40. If multiple applications are received from the same school, the senior teacher will get priority. A maximum of three teachers can be posted on attachment to a single school. In the case of female teachers, priority will be given for transfers to schools close to their permanent address or their husband's workplace.

The amended guidelines retain the previous structure of verifying and resolving transfer applications through four levels of committees: upazila, district, divisional, and national. Additionally, the responsibility of posting newly recruited assistant teachers to schools through a lottery will remain with the district committee.

According to those concerned, these new changes will reduce controversies in the teacher transfer process and further strengthen transparency and accountability.