Kolkata: State Education minister Partha Chatterjee made it clear on Sunday that transfer of teachers will be strictly on examining the circumstances in which a teacher is seeking transfer and not on the basis of party colour.
"We will not see the colour of the organisation to which a teacher is affiliated, when it comes to transfer. The teacher who genuinely needs transfer will be given priority," Chatterjee said in his address at a programme organised by Paschimbanga Trinamool Congress Prathamik Sikshak Samity at Nazrul Mancha.
The minister pointed out that in the primary level there is disparity in the number of teachers. "There are more teachers in schools where there are less students and vice versa. We have to rationalise this and wherever we find requirement of teachers we will fill up the vacancies," he said.
Chatterjee emphasised that female teachers and those who have problems pertaining to health, will be given priority in transfer.
"No recommendations on the part of district inspectors, headmasters or district primary school council will be entertained in this regard. The entire transfer will be carried out by the government
to ensure transparency," he added.
Chatterjee urged the primary teachers to be more dutiful and strive towards bringing students to schools. "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after taking over the charge of the government, has taken significant steps in elevating the standard of education from the schools to university level. It is the duty of the members of the teachers' association to see to it that teachers are regular in attending classes and the students come to school," he said on the sidelines of the programme.
He maintained that since TMC came to power in the state, 73,000 teachers were recruited at the primary level and many para-teachers (contractual teachers at elementary level) have been made permanent.
The minister lambasted the Left-backed primary teachers' organisation, which has taken to the streets in recent times, with a slew of demands.
"Where were these protesters who are now hitting the streets with various demands, when the condition of primary teachers was worse during the tenure of the previous regime?" he questioned.
Chatterjee also expressed his displeasure over some representatives of the teachers' organisation, who started voicing certain demands while the speakers were addressing.
"This is not the right way of pressing for demands. You have to be disciplined. What lesson will it impart to the students? You are in a profession in which you create good individuals," he maintained.