In a decisive move to address corruption concerns, New Delhi’s Mayor, Shelly Oberoi, has formally instructed MCD commissioner Ashwani Kumar to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the online teacher transfer policy implemented in civic body-run schools.
The mayor’s directive comes in response to troubling reports indicating unauthorized offline teacher transfers, which, according to her, jeopardize the integrity of the system and could facilitate corrupt practices.
Introduced earlier this year by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the online teacher transfer policy was established with the goal of enhancing transparency and minimizing the potential for manual interference in the transfer process.
However, Oberoi highlighted significant discrepancies, noting that certain transfers are being executed offline, contravening the very essence of the policy and its intended purpose.
“It has been brought to my notice that offline transfers are also being done in the Education Department, which is against the policy and breeds corruption. This is a matter of serious concern as the purpose of curbing corruption would be defeated,” Oberoi articulated in a letter addressed to the commissioner, dated November 2.
In light of these pressing allegations, she has urged the commissioner to establish clear and unequivocal guidelines to avert any potential misuse of the policy.
“I would therefore advise to get the matter investigated, and the appropriate actions be taken. It is supposed to be done at the most priority and a clear guideline may be issued in this regard to improve the functioning of Education Department,” the letter further underscored.
Several teachers within MCD schools have repeatedly expressed apprehensions regarding purported corruption connected to the online transfer policy, asserting that arbitrary transfers and favoritism have been rampant under the current system.
“If there is an online transfer policy, then why are offline transfers being conducted? The online transfer policy should be revoked first. After that, vacant positions should be displayed in schools based on the student-teacher ratio. Then, offline transfer applications should be requested from all teachers, followed by the issuance of a transfer list in a fair and transparent manner,” contended Kuldeep Singh Khatri, president of Shikshak Nyay Manch, an advocacy group for MCD school teachers.
Khatri also suggested that a committee comprising representatives from various teachers’ organizations be established to finalize the transfer list.
**Interview with Shelly Oberoi, Mayor of New Delhi**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Oberoi. Your recent directive to investigate the online teacher transfer policy has garnered significant attention. Can you share what prompted this investigation?
**Mayor Oberoi**: Thank you for having me. The decision to initiate an investigation stemmed from alarming reports that we were receiving about unauthorized offline teacher transfers. These irregularities undermine the transparency we aimed to achieve with the online transfer system. My priority is to ensure that the integrity of our processes is upheld, particularly in our civic body-run schools.
**Interviewer**: The online teacher transfer policy was introduced earlier this year to enhance transparency. How does the current situation reflect on that goal?
**Mayor Oberoi**: Unfortunately, it reveals a gap between policy and practice. While the online system was designed to minimize manual interference and promote a fair transfer process, the reports of offline transfers suggest that some individuals are trying to bypass the system for personal gain. This goes against everything we stand for and need to address urgently.
**Interviewer**: Can you elaborate on what specific steps will be taken during the investigation?
**Mayor Oberoi**: We’ve instructed Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to conduct a thorough review of all teacher transfers made since the policy’s inception. This will include auditing transfer requests and identifying any irregularities. We are committed to transparency throughout the process and will ensure accountability for anyone found violating the policy.
**Interviewer**: What message do you hope to send with this investigation?
**Mayor Oberoi**: The message is clear: corruption will not be tolerated. We are committed to creating an educational environment that is fair and transparent for all teachers. By addressing these issues head-on, we hope to restore trust in our systems and reassure our educators that their transfers will be handled with integrity.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Mayor Oberoi, for your time and commitment to tackling these pressing issues.
**Mayor Oberoi**: Thank you. It’s my responsibility to serve the people and enhance our educational policies. Together, we will overcome these challenges.