Ahmedabad: Gujarat education department has ordered the complete relieving of primary school teachers who have been awaiting district or taluka transfers since 2022-23 despite receiving transfer orders. The decision provides relief to teachers whose transfers were stalled due to the rule requiring schools to maintain at least 50% of their sanctioned staff strength.The decision follows representations by Primary Teachers’ Association and Prathmik Shaikshik Mahasangh. Teachers posted in remote districts such as Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Dahod, Narmada and Chhota Udepur have been particularly affected, with many waiting for years to move closer to their hometowns.According to the department’s instructions, districts will calculate the staffing strength of gyan sahayaks to determine whether the required 50% staffing level can be maintained. If the requirement is fulfilled, teachers awaiting transfers will be relieved immediately.Where vacancies arise because teachers are transferred but cannot be relieved due to staff shortages, the posts will be treated as vacant and filled by appointing gyan sahayaks from the waiting list. This arrangement is intended to facilitate transfers without disrupting school functioning.The department has also directed that every school must have at least one teacher present throughout the process. The responsibility for ensuring this will rest with the taluka primary education officer (TPO).Directorate of primary education has instructed all district primary education officers and administrative officers to initiate immediate action and submit detailed proposals.
