Why silence on teacher transfer issue?

The whole nation is shaken up by this issue and there has been a lot of discussion on the net, print media and BBS TV but in the absence of representatives from the government and the Ministry of Education in particular.

People have exercised their democratic freedom of speech and opinion and expressed their views and comments on the policy in public fora. What more would they be permitted to do to get the government to act on this issue? People’s message was and still is loud and clear. The issue is faced with negative comments, especially on the modality of its implementation which sounds very stringent and dictatorial to the extent of undermining human values and fairness in its application.

It is understood that the general population is supportive of the policy in principle, which is targeted to swap the urban and rural teachers to provide newer teaching environment and experience. There have been several questions as to why this particular policy is adopted only within the Ministry of Education and specifically applied to senior teachers and why the prevailing civil service rules to transfer the civil servants after 3-5 years is not implemented in general by the government.

The first and second batches of teachers from Thimphu have already been affected under this policy and the third batch is on its way and a few more are in line. Majority of the teachers who have followed the orders have all been under duress and hardly anyone willfully. Some have sneaked out through other open provisions.

Given the success story of the policy to move the Thimphu teachers, there is yet to flip the other side of the coin and put a serious question: Has the equal number of teachers been replaced from the rural areas? It is doubtful as one could see the mobilization within Thimphu and nearby dzongkhags for substitution.

People have raised so many questions over the issue and highlighted the need for answers so many times, but in return, they have noticed neither any move nor any answer from the relevant agency. Continual silence over the issue is viewed as ‘absence of people’s representation in the government’ which proves to be nothing better than mockery of democracy and hypocritical in function. Or else, did the people place wrong people as their representatives who cannot take care of the interest of the people and nation as a whole?

How can the larger interest of the people and their wellbeing be handled when a sizeable people’s wellbeing cannot be taken care of? The Opposition Party is also found to be silent on the issue, which also indicates non-fulfillment of its constitutional duties.

Did we go miles crossing valleys and mountains for days to the constituencies to elect our representatives just to let them enjoy pay, perks and VVIP status for five long years? Do the people not deserve something better for their trust and faith placed in their representatives? Certainly the terms democracy and GNH have a different meaning for them than what the common people understand.

We need to watch out what type of government we actually have as we start losing our faith in it. It would be easy to solve the issue if we have a democratic government, or else, the writer will be silenced.

By Karma Temphel Ngyamtso

5 Responses to “Why silence on teacher transfer issue?”

1. Lhaden says:

   September 16, 2011 at 11:34 am

   The silence is dangerous. The silent worms will eat our rules books which has gathered dust and never wiped out.

   Reply
2. Dolma says:

   September 16, 2011 at 3:59 pm

   We learnt that the HROs of all Ministries are now working out the issue on papers to issue transfer orders by 1st. week of December 2011. May be, thats why remaining silence to obey the rules and regulations silently.

   Reply
3. Yeshey says:

   September 20, 2011 at 10:32 am

   Lets talk generally of all the teachers of our country and not only the Thimphu Teachers. Seek suggestions and opinions from all the teachers of our country and then come to conclusion of this transfer issue. BUT not by the few in the Thimphu. This is very simple and no further debate required. We have TRANSFER Rules and regulations to judge fairly. We need not have to shout for our individual problems as our rights. Transfer rules have the rights.

   Reply
4. Karma says:

   September 21, 2011 at 12:36 pm

   May be it is left upto the individual level’s responsibilty as like the responsibilty of corruptions to curb is left and vested to accordingly.

   Problems are created, but no solutions as yet. May be they are waiting for solutions from the HROs in the Headquarters. SILENCE IS SERIOUS if not answered to the problems appropriately.

   Reply
5. Kuenga says:

   September 26, 2011 at 12:36 pm

   Keeping silence after creating problems is a great corruption. Tis like bones thrown in between the hungry and greedy dogs?

   Reply