Transfer to a far-flung village is worse punishment for a teacher than being placed under suspension that would be lifted after three months, feel ex-teachers of Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS), Akkalaigudem.
Following the death of class 6 student Vallapu Vijayender on November 14, the school headmistress, Y. Aruna Kumari, and two teachers were suspended while five were transferred.
The school management has retained only one teacher, and brought in seven more on deputation.
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The transfer of teachers, however, has not been free of controversy. It is being referred to as a fallout of a long-standing “ugly fight” between the Progressive Recognized Teacher’s Union (PRTU) and United Teacher’s Federation (UTF), says a senior official of the District Education Office.
Progressive Recognized Teacher’s Union district president Bhiksham Goud says, “Holding all the teachers responsible because of one or two persons is not correct.”. The Progressive Recognized Teacher’s Union has submitted a request to the Collector to rollback the transfer orders.
UTF district president S. Rajasekhhar Reddy blames the District Education Officer B. Venkata Narsamma, Revenue Divisional Officer E. Venkatachary and District Collector Gaurav Uppal for “not taking action due to political backing of PRTU”. “They should also be held responsible,” he adds.
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