West Bengal Education minister Partha Chatterjee Wednesday said the government would give priority in posting teachers, in both primary and higher secondary institutions, in their home districts to save them the trouble of commuting long distance every day.
Women would be given the first preference though men also face similar inconveniences, Chatterjee said.
On the occasion of Teachers' Day, 60 teachers from universities, colleges, higher secondary institutions and primary schools were given 'Siksha Ratna' award instituted by the state government.
Altogether 13 schools - 11 for their academic performance and two for their performance in the sports fields - were adjudged as recipients of 'best school' award.
"We have seen that primary teachers have to travel long distance and this inconveniences them a lot, especially women who had to travel from one district to another by train from home to workplace," Chatterjee told reporters on the sidelines of the state-sponsored Teacher's day programme.
"Hence we have decided to give priority in recruiting teachers in their home districts, especially in the primary education sector as well as in higher secondary schools soon. There had been 38,000 transfers last year which can be averted if we adopt such a policy," the minister said.
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If places are not found in the home district of a candidate, he or she would be posted in the neighbouring district, Chatterjee said.
He said the government was undertaking an assessment of the number of teachers, students and the number of state-run and state-aided schools all over the state.
This is being done to ensure that the teacher-student ratio is in the permissible limit in each institution.
Stating that the Mamata Banerjee government has increased the number of educational institutions, the minister said adding there is now 38 universities and 51 colleges in the state.
To the question, he said the government would retain part-time teachers who have the experience as per UGC norms.