The directorate of elementary education under the school and mass education department in Odisha has issued showcause notices to 79 block education officers (BEOs) across various districts for alleged delays in forwarding transfer applications of elementary teachers to district education authorities for approval.
Transfer Policy and Deadline
According to the elementary teachers' transfer policy of the state government, elementary teachers must submit their transfer applications online between April 15 and 30 each year. These proposals are to be forwarded by BEOs to district education officers by May 10. Subsequently, the district-level transfer committee and state-level transfer committee verify and approve the applications. The five-member state-level committee includes officials from the elementary education wing of the school and mass education department.
Alleged Inaction and Impact
On Saturday, the directorate pointed out that despite receiving all applications through the online system, many BEOs failed to process and forward them to DEOs on time, even though the deadline was May 10. The directorate stated that this inaction has been viewed seriously as it has adversely affected the teacher transfer process across districts. It warned that suitable action will be taken as deemed fit.
A total of 1,873 transfer applications were received by the defaulting BEOs from 17 districts. However, only seven applications, all from Kashipur block in Rayagada district, were forwarded to the concerned DEO within the deadline. The remaining 1,866 applications are pending. Among the major defaulters, Sorada block in Ganjam district had 62 pending applications, Mohana in Gajapati district had 69 pending, and Chandbali in Bhadrak district had 74 pending.
Showcause Notice and Disciplinary Action
The defaulting BEOs have been directed to submit their replies within three days, explaining the reasons for the delay and why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them.
Background of Teacher Transfers
Previously, transfers of elementary teachers were not allowed in Odisha. However, the rules were changed in 2018, permitting inter- and intra-district transfers based on rationalisation of teachers in government schools and personal grounds such as terminal illness or disability.
The directorate emphasised that transfers are a time-bound process and that the delay in forwarding applications has impacted the overall process, which must be completed by June 10.
