Teachers in Haryana are once again caught in confusion, rumors, and incomplete information. Every morning in schools begins with tea and a discussion in the staffroom – “When will the transfers take place?” No one has an answer to this question, but everyone has a guess. Some say in August, some say after the cabinet, some believe that now that the session is in the middle, the department will not do anything. Everything seems to be stagnant, blurred, and hanging in the balance.
The results of the examination conducted for teacher deployment in Model Sanskriti Vidyalayas and schools selected under the Pradhan Mantri Shri Yojana are ready. But the announcement is not being made because the Common Transfer Policy 2025 has not yet received cabinet approval. Here, the question becomes imperative that before conducting the examination, it was not ensured that the policy has been made, or what will be the time limit for its approval? If the result of the examination depends on the policy, then why was it taken earlier? Is this an administrative lapse or a political delay?
Another argument being given for not declaring the results is that they are kept in sealed envelopes which no one has seen, so that no interference is possible. This tradition of “sealed honesty” on one hand shows that the department is pretending to be transparent, and on the other hand, it also makes it clear that the department itself is afraid of some possible ‘game’ with the results.
What makes this situation even more ridiculous is the department’s double standards – when it creates a structure like the SMC (School Management Committee) and then dissolves it within a month. This is the same department that has been talking about transfers since December and did not take any concrete steps until July. Every week a new order comes, and the next week, some other officer cancels it. This makes it clear that there is a complete lack of coordination in the department. Everyone is ready to make a “decision” at their level, but there is no one to give direction to the education system.
The teachers have become mentally exhausted due to this confusion and opacity. In every school, the discussion revolves around this one issue: someone is getting the transfer file prepared, someone is getting the CCL form filled, someone is waiting for the result, and someone is trying to gather information from their contacts. There is a kind of mental tension and instability which is affecting the work of the teachers. In such a situation, it is worth thinking that the system on which the future generation is dependent has itself become unstable and confusing.
The reason behind this is not only the indecisiveness of the administration but also the neglect of political priorities. Governments are busy with elections, announcements, and showy schemes, but there is no clarity on basic needs like the teacher transfer policy. When teachers are mentally unstable, how will the education of children remain stable? In many districts of Haryana, the same teacher is teaching in two schools, some schools do not have subject experts, and on the other hand, those who should be transferred are stuck at the same place for years.
There was talk of an online transfer system based on MIS (Management Information System). But due to the lack of a policy, this system is also not able to be updated. Claims were made to make the processes transparent in the name of technology, but until the policy is made, everything is just a click away. This is a digital dream that has not yet come true.
Teachers were promoted; many positions became vacant. Now the question is whether transfers will happen after the promotion? If yes, then how many more promotions are pending? There is no answer to these questions on the departmental website, there are only rumours in the WhatsApp groups of teachers’ organizations. Not only this, according to an official of the department itself, the cabinet meeting is proposed in August. This means that the policy will come by the last week of August, by then the middle of the session will be over. And then the same argument will be given that transfers should be postponed till the next session, so that the studies of the children are not interrupted.
This cycle is repeated every year. The policy is not made, then it is said that the session is in between. Teachers are not able to plan themselves. Neither can they take CCL, nor can they prepare mentally whether they will get a transfer or not. The department is in a serious crisis – where files are moving but no decision is being taken.
Students suffer the most due to this confusion. When a teacher is waiting for a transfer for two years, his attention naturally shifts from teaching. Many teachers are working hundreds of kilometers away from home and are mentally disturbed due to family responsibilities. Will they be able to educate children with this mindset?
It is also true that politics has been going on in the name of transfers in Haryana for years. Sometimes there is nepotism in the transfer list, sometimes transfers are stopped before panchayat elections, sometimes names are added or removed at the behest of some leader. Transparency is talked about only in policy papers; there is no sign of it on the ground.
If the government and the department want to take education reform seriously, they will have to take concrete steps to improve this situation. Firstly, a clear timeline should be given as to when the transfer policy will come. Second, confusion should not be spread about exam results until the policy comes. Third, departmental coordination should be increased so that after an order is issued, no other officer can cancel it. And most importantly, every process should be made trackable online.
The transfer is not a favour; it is the teacher’s right. Presenting it as a “favor” is a derogatory attitude. Teachers are neither political workers nor part of any group. They are the foundation stones on which the future of society stands. And if the foundation itself is kept in uncertainty, how can the peak be strong?
This article is a request to the education department and the government to come out of this confusion, indecisiveness and administrative cowardice. Instead of keeping the transfer policy confined to files and lockers, it should be implemented on the ground. Because the teacher is tired now. And when the teacher is tired, the whole society becomes lethargic.
