The Punjab Education Department has issued instructions to District Education Officers (DEOs) putting a hold on the transfers of teachers engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duty, causing dismay among hundreds of government school teachers awaiting transfers.
DTF Alleges Misinterpretation of EC Orders
The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) has accused the Education Department of misreading the Election Commission's orders. According to DTF, the EC only prohibits transfers of officers directly involved in election conduct, such as DEOs, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), not all teachers on duty.
DTF president Vikram Dev stated that many teachers have been waiting for transfers due to genuine family, health, and administrative reasons. He emphasized that their legitimate rights are being denied through these instructions. The orders have affected transfers of teachers, computer faculty, and non-teaching staff engaged in election duties during SIR 2026.
Teachers Face Mental Harassment
DTF State General Secretary Mahinder Kauriawali highlighted that teachers are already overburdened with non-academic tasks. Apart from teaching, they are assigned surveys, censuses, and election duties, which hampers the education system. She said, “By imposing a blanket ban on transfers, the authorities are subjecting teachers to further mental harassment.”
The DTF leaders clarified that if a teacher is performing duties as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) or Sector Supervisor, their duties can continue at the new posting location, or alternative arrangements can be made when needed. They asserted that using election duties as a pretext for a complete ban on transfers is unjustifiable.
The issue has sparked a debate on the balance between election responsibilities and the welfare of teachers, with the DTF demanding a review of the orders to alleviate the hardship caused to educators.
