Teacher Rationalisation and Transfer Mechanism in Schools Likely Soon

Dipali Sen, MP, July 1, 2026, Kolkata: State School Education Minister Dipak Barman on Tuesday said the government was working on rationalising the deployment of teachers across schools and expected progress within the next two to three months, while a mechanism for teacher transfers was also being prepared.

Addressing a programme organised by the BJP Teachers’ Cell, Barman said some schools faced teacher shortages despite high enrolment, while others had surplus staff despite low student numbers.

“We will bring about a balance between the two. I hope these issues will move towards a solution within the next two to three months,” he said.

The minister said all eligible teachers would get an opportunity to seek transfers once the proposed mechanism was in place and urged them to allow the department some time.

On recruitment, Barman said the department was examining appointment-related issues in light of SSC rules, court orders and legal developments.

Referring to teachers and non-teaching staff affected by the cancellation of the 2016 recruitment process and the ongoing 2025 SLST recruitment, he said the government was fully aware of the concerns and would take appropriate steps at the earliest.

Stressing transparency in recruitment, he said the government would not allow jobs to be sold.

“Not a single one,” he said.

The minister also announced that biometric face-recognition attendance systems would be introduced in schools.

He urged teachers to raise concerns through organisational channels and discuss issues with the government rather than airing them on social media or through the media.

On the Mid-Day Meal scheme, Barman said preliminary discussions with ISKCON on its proposed involvement in providing cooked meals had been completed.

“They will have to set up a kitchen and planning for that is underway,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether nutrition could be ensured without eggs in school meals, Barman said nutrition experts were best placed to comment on the issue.

“I am not a nutritionist. However, there was a time when I had to live largely on a vegetarian diet, and I am still in good health,” he said.

On the issue of the mandatory Teachers Eligibility Test for in-service primary and upper primary school teachers, he said the matter was linked to Supreme Court directions and was now at the level of the Central government.

He urged teachers’ representatives to raise the matter with the Union Education Minister, saying there was little the state government could do at present.