SSA teachers allege discrimination in transfers

Government schoolteachers who come under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme have alleged that they face discrimination in transfers.

Ramesh G (name changed) said he had been struggling to get a transfer to Bangalore from Dakshina Kannada where he had been working for the past ten years. “I have been trying for the past three years without luck. Many junior teachers have got transfers but I’m still here,” he said.

Ramesh said he wanted a transfer so desperately that he broke down before the officials concerned some time ago. His wife is a government teacher in the City and hence he is entitled to a transfer under the ‘married teachers’ category, he insisted.

Transfer rules say first preference should be given to teachers having medical complications and handicaps, widows, married couples employed as teachers and other women and men, in that order.

Seniority is another important factor. “At the time of recruitment, I was not even told that I would come under the SSA. In fact, I was selected as a general teacher and received the same benefits. But I face this problem while applying for transfer,” Ramesh explained.

Wait gets longer

Ahmed Shah (name changed) is another teacher who has been seeking a transfer. He has been teaching in Tumkur for the past ten years and wants to be transferred to Chitradurga where his wife is employed. But the wait has got only longer.

“I’ve been unsuccessfully trying for the last three years. Many general teachers have got transfers as many as three times but I haven’t got even one,” he complained.

These teachers get their paycheck and other amenities from SSA whereas general teachers are paid by the State government. A group of 35 SSA teachers moved the High Court in this regard last year.

On his part, the Director of Primary Education, A Deva Prakash, maintained that transfers were effected as per certain rules.

“Many general teachers have not got a single transfer even after 15 years in service,” he told Deccan Herald. “We cannot transfer everyone.”