A New Dawn for Bihar’s Educators: Freedom to Choose Their Schools
In a major reform that reflects the Bihar government’s progressive thinking, a new mutual teacher transfer policy has been implemented to bring transparency, fairness, and satisfaction among the teaching community. For the first time, teachers in Bihar will be empowered to select their schools through a self-choice-based transfer process—a move welcomed by educators and administrators alike.
This human-centric initiative aims to address long-standing challenges related to dissatisfaction post-transfer and the disruption of academic activities due to vacant teaching posts.
The Challenge: Transfers That Created Gaps
Despite efforts to post teachers closer to their home districts, many were still unhappy with their new placements. For example, even when a teacher was moved from a school 400 km away to one just 30 km from home, dissatisfaction remained. Teachers voiced concerns through various channels, citing reasons such as lack of school facilities, distance from residence, or a mismatch in subject expertise.
Meanwhile, some schools were left with no teachers at all after transfers, hampering students’ learning and overburdening the remaining staff. The government’s well-intentioned transfer system unintentionally led to academic disruption.
The Solution: Empowering Teachers Through Choice
To resolve these issues, the Bihar Education Department has rolled out a mutual transfer system via e-ShikshaKosh, allowing all state-level teachers to choose their preferred schools through mutual agreement.
Key Highlights of the New Policy:
Group Transfers:
Teachers of the same category and subject (e.g., Maths to Maths, Physics to Physics) can form groups of 2 to 10 and mutually swap schools.Same Level Exchange:
Transfers are only allowed between teachers of the same designation—such as Regular to Regular, Special to Special, and School Teacher to School Teacher.Transparency via e-ShikshaKosh:
Teachers can log in to the e-ShikshaKosh portal and view lists of teachers in their subject and category who are open for transfer within their Panchayat, Block, Subdivision, or District.Contact Made Easy:
Teachers can reach out to each other using OTP-verified mobile numbers available through the portal.Quick Approvals:
Once teachers mutually agree and submit applications, transfer orders will be issued within three days of OTP verification.Time-bound Implementation:
After receiving transfer orders, teachers must join their new schools within seven days. Failure by even one teacher in the group to join will result in the cancellation of the entire group’s transfer.
No More Bureaucratic Delays
In a significant departure from past practices, this new policy eliminates interference from district-level or state headquarters. There will be no role of the District Establishment Committee or State Headquarters in the process. Teachers now have full autonomy to manage their transfers.
This direct, digital, and transparent system is a breakthrough in reducing red tape and ensuring speedy resolutions—something teachers have long awaited.
Special July Window for Implementation
Since multiple transfers were already conducted in June, this mutual transfer system will remain open from July 10 to the end of July 2025. This special window provides adequate time for teachers to coordinate and make informed decisions about their new postings.
Human Impact: Teachers Deserve Dignity and Choice
Beyond systems and portals, this policy reflects something much deeper—a respect for teachers’ personal circumstances, mental well-being, and professional dignity. Teaching is not just a job; it’s a calling. And a happy teacher in a comfortable environment can do wonders for students.
By giving them the power to choose, the government is acknowledging the humanity behind the profession. It is no longer a one-way administrative command—it is now a collaborative process between educators and the state.
