The Chennai education department has initiated the transfer counselling process to fill vacant teacher positions, six days after schools reopened for the academic year. This year, teachers who have not completed one year at their current schools are also eligible to apply for transfers through the educational management information system (EMIS) portal from June 15 to June 22.
Verification Process
According to a department release, each transfer application will undergo two stages of verification: first by the school head, and then by the chief or district education officer. This ensures a thorough review of all requests.
Concerns from School Heads
Several school heads have expressed concerns that the process has started very late, potentially leading to job losses for temporary teachers hired at schools. A headmaster explained, "A few days before reopening, the department instructed us to fill all vacancies by hiring temporary staff through school management committees (SMC). Now, teachers who get transferred will replace these temporary staff. Ideally, the department should have conducted the counselling first and then filled vacancies through SMC."
Priority Categories
The department has outlined priority categories for transfers. Teachers with a 100% visual impairment, those with a disability of 40% or more, widows or widowers, and teachers who have served more than five years at their current schools will be given preference. Additionally, postgraduate teachers specializing in biology will have the option to select their major subject, either zoology or botany.
Timeline
The transfer counselling process will continue until July 31. Teachers are advised to submit their applications within the specified window to be considered for transfers.
