Patna: In a significant move aimed at addressing longstanding concerns among educators, the Bihar government has introduced a new system allowing teachers to voluntarily transfer themselves through an online portal. The initiative is expected to ease administrative burdens and tackle the growing issue of vacant teaching positions across the state.
Under new instructions issued by Dr S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, teachers can now manage their own transfers via the e-Shikshak Kosh portal. The directive, sent to all District Education Officers, marks a shift in how transfers are handled—moving away from a top-down system to a more flexible, teacher-driven process.
“Teachers have been relocated across various distances, sometimes over 400 kilometres, yet dissatisfaction persists,” the circular noted. “In many cases, schools are left without replacements, affecting the quality of education. The current system also creates difficulties in refilling posts.”
To counter these challenges, the new framework will enable teachers of the same cadre to form groups of up to 10 and opt for mutual transfers between schools. Crucially, group members must all belong to the same category and agree to switch places with one another. If even one teacher in the group withdraws, the entire transfer order will be annulled.
The portal allows teachers to view lists of others willing to transfer within the same Panchayat, block, subdivision or district. Once potential swaps are identified, teachers can reach out using OTP-verified contact details to finalise groupings and preferences. Transfer orders will be issued within three days of verification, and it will be mandatory to join the newly assigned school within seven days.
Authorities believe the digital system will streamline logistics and significantly reduce transfer-related grievances. It also offers a practical solution to the issue of unfilled teaching positions, which have disrupted academic activities in many schools across the state.
