The Bihar Education Department’s new teacher transfer policy has triggered widespread dissatisfaction, particularly among male teachers. The policy, introduced to facilitate periodic transfers, mandates that teachers must be transferred every five years. While female teachers are being relocated within their Panchayats, male teachers face the possibility of being posted outside their Subdivision, causing concern about the impact on family life.
Teacher unions across the state have begun protesting, demanding the immediate withdrawal of this policy. The male teaching community, in particular, has expressed discontent, fearing that the policy could lead to family separations. A major point of contention is that while women get transfers within nearby Panchayats, men could be posted far from home, leading to logistical challenges in managing family responsibilities.
Under the new guidelines, teachers are allowed to choose up to ten preferred posting locations. The policy also stipulates that no school should have more than 70% female teachers. These rules apply only to teachers who have passed the Bihar competency examination or have been recruited through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Male teachers, however, fear that being posted outside their Subdivision will disrupt their ability to care for their families.
One male teacher expressed his frustration, stating, “Why is there a separate transfer policy for men and women in the same department? It feels like being a male teacher is a disadvantage. I’m proud to be a teacher, and I would want to continue in the profession in my next life—but only as a woman."
The Bihar Teacher Transfer Policy has sparked debate and protests, particularly among male teachers who feel it disproportionately impacts them. With calls for the policy's reversal growing louder, the state government may need to reconsider the terms to address these concerns.
