Government to introduce teachers transfers act and major education reforms, says Nara Lokesh

VIJAYAWADA: HRD and IT minister Nara Lokesh has said that the govt will bring teachers transfers Act very soon to prevent the political interference in the transfers.
He said that he had already held consultations with teachers’ associations and legislators to take feedback on the issue. He said that they have invited suggestions from all the teachers as the govt wanted to bring a model Act for effecting the transfer of teachers in the most transparent manner.
Clearing the apprehensions on many issues related to the education department in the assembly on Friday, Lokesh said that the govt has also decided to announce the seniority list of teachers for the first time in history. “We will opportunity to all the teachers to come up with suggestions and objections on the seniority lists. The DEO will take measures to correct the lists if any errors are found.
All the transfers will be done based on the seniority without any outside influence,” said Lokesh.
The minister explained that they are going to save Rs.1000 crore to the exchequer from the purchase of chikkis, eggs and school kits for the school students by eliminating irregularities in tenders for the purchase of school kits in the next five years.
“We have saved Rs 63 crores (36 percent) in chikkis alone, and it would be around Rs.300 crore in the next five years. There will be a saving of 8 to 9 percent-up to Rs 70 crore, in school kits too. There has also been a reduction of 10 to 12 percent in eggs,” said Lokesh. He said that he had asked the officials to maintain quality even after the reduction of prices.
Lokesh said that the govt will introduce a semester-wise system on the Maharashtra model to reduce the weight of bags. He said that about 2.53 lakh teachers were appointed through DSCs during 1994 to 2024 from which 71 percent were recruited when TDP was in power. He promised to issue DSC notification in March and fill 16,347 posts by June.
He lashed out at former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for destroying the education system by introducing IB, CBSE and TOEFL without proper homework.
He said that the govt is taking steps to enhance respect for women in particular. He said that the govt is also planning to set up a world-class institute for teacher training in Amaravati. He said that they will also introduce a chapter on the Indian constitution in the curriculum.