Punjab Govt To Introduce E-Transfer Policy For Teachers

School Education minister hints at conducting random blood tests of students, launching awareness campaigns to curb drug and substance abuse among youth

The Government of Punjab will introduce an e-transfer policy for teachers to make the postings and transfers process fair, merit based and transparent, School Education Minister Murad Raas said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the e-transfer policy of teachers working in schools across Punjab, as well as to discuss the progress on Supreme Court’s verdict on private schools’ fee issue, Raas said under the new e-transfer policy, transfer of teachers would be made purely on merit and in a transparent manner. He said the initiative would help to curb the mafia that exploited teachers and demanded bribes to carry out matters pertaining to posting and transfers. He said a modern software would be put to use to conduct postings and transfers under the e-transfer policy for teachers. The minister said immediate relief would be provided to female teachers under the new e-transfer policy.

School Fees

Commenting on the private school fee issue, Raas said 20 percent fee would be refunded to parents of the students enrolled in elite private schools that charged a fee of more than Rs 5,000 a month. He added that private schools that failed to get registered by April 12 would be shutdown.

The minister said parents should submit their complaints on the number 0336-7251214 if any private school administration failed to reimburse additional fee. “Their problems will be solved on an emergency basis,” he assured. Raas said private school owners should ensure the implementation of Supreme Court’s verdict regarding deduction in fees, otherwise the government would be forced to initiate legal action against them.

The minister said the new school year would begin on April 1, while the enrolment campaign would be launched on March 1. He added that summer vacations would be begin from June 1 and last until August 11.

Raas said work had been expedited to check the menace of narcotics and drug abuse in educational institutions, adding that random blood and urine tests would be conducted and a comprehensive campaign would be launched in order to create awareness among the students against substance abuse. He that cigarettes and betel-nut chewing shops within 500 meter radius of schools would be closed down to save students from such injurious things.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed said Supreme Court orders against private schools fees would be implemented to provide relief to parents and students.