MALA MEETING AND SILENT HASLA

MALA MEETING AND SILENT HASLA

9-AUG-ENG 35

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------There is a growing perception among teachers that discussions of MIS data, transfer policy and cabinet meetings have become mere formalities. At times, these are seen as a means to postpone decisions or maintain the illusion of transparency in the process. The teacher transfer process is no longer meeting the test of transparency and fairness. MIS portals, policy and meetings are now beginning to seem like excuses. Organizations are silent and discontent among teachers is deepening. The education department should make the policy clear, the date fixed and the process accountable. Otherwise, this discontent can turn into a movement. Teachers can work with respect only when they get their rights without appeal.

The teacher transfer drive in Haryana is no longer a normal administrative process, it has become a serious educational and social issue. Every year the teacher community expects transparency, timeliness and equitable behavior associated with this process, but every time they are disappointed. Recently, a picture of a flower garland went viral on social media, with the words: “Transfer drive after today’s meeting.” This became not just a satire, but a symbol of the anguish of the teacher community.

The transfer process continues to be a difficult puzzle, where technical complexities and procedural ambiguities are being given more importance than the hard work, dedication and service of the teacher. The MIS portal was started with the aim of transparency, but in practice it has often led to confusion and frustration for teachers.

On the MIS portal, teachers are expected to fill in their preferences, choose the options of available schools and get the transfer under a fair process. But there is constant confusion about the speed, clarity and results of the process.

At times, the date for starting the transfer drive is not fixed, the process is postponed repeatedly, and teachers do not get information about when the list will be released, on what basis the transfer will be done, or if they are not transferred, what are the reasons for it. All this raises questions about the lack of trust in the teacher community and administrative transparency.

It is the responsibility of teacher organisations to bring out the problems of teachers, communicate them and build pressure towards a solution. But when teachers start asking on social media—“Why is the voice silent?”—it is not just a question, but a sign of deep anguish.

Teachers expect organisations to become their voice, but if they remain limited to mere rhetoric or appear inactive at the ground level, their confidence starts to waver. The organisations will have to introspect as to how much they are able to live up to the expectations of teachers.

Before the recent transfer drive, a selection test was organised for Haryana's model school, in which thousands of teachers participated. This test was to be the basis of the upcoming transfer policy, but till date that policy has not been finalised. Until there is a clear rulebook, there is no justification for any selection process.

This situation creates confusion in the minds of teachers and proves their hard work futile. Policy should be made first, then the exam—this is a basic administrative principle, which must be followed. There is a growing perception among teachers that discussions of MIS data, transfer policy and cabinet meetings have become mere formalities. At times, these are seen as a means to postpone decisions or maintain the illusion of transparency in the process.

When concrete results are not forthcoming, it is natural to suspect that the entire process is being driven by some strategy. This type of thinking further deepens the trust gap between the administration and the teaching community, which can prove fatal for any healthy education system.

Teachers today are not limited to just teaching. They are engaged in many responsibilities like data entry, wall writing, various types of surveys, voter list preparation, mid-day meal monitoring, disaster management. But when they talk about their transfer – to go to family, to get posted at a nearby place due to health reasons, they are only entangled in the hassles of process, meetings and portals.

This system not only leads to dissatisfaction but also affects the efficiency and morale of teachers.

If the transfer drive is a policy process, then clarity is required at all its stages. There are no clear guidelines regarding the recent selection examinations and their results. Neither the seniority list was released, nor was it told what place these will have in the transfer process.

Teachers should be informed at every level about which process is happening, when and why. Transparency does not come only from a digital system, but from accurate information and communication.

The transfer policy should be notified quickly and clearly, including the process, timelines, appeal system, and clear points of seniority determination. The functioning of the MIS portal should be independently reviewed to ensure that there is no discrimination. The rules and objectives of all selection examinations should be clear, so that teachers are not confused. The accountability of teacher organizations should be fixed, and they should be expected to effectively raise their voice in favor of teachers in time. It would also be useful to bring the transfer process to complete transparency under RTI A teacher is the architect of the society. If he has to struggle for even a basic facility like transfer, then it is not just an insult to a person but a failure of the entire education system. We have to understand that teachers should be empowered not only with duties but also with rights. It is the responsibility of the institution, policy and administration to maintain the dignity of the teacher. The process has to be made simple and transparent, not complicated. Expectations should be made from the teacher only when he gets his rights without asking for them.