Posted to distant schools by lottery: new primary teachers seek mutual transfer option

Assistant teachers of the 2025 batch at government primary schools say they are suffering after being posted through a lottery to schools in distant and hard-to-reach areas. Citing problems with travel, housing and family responsibilities, they have demanded the introduction of a 'mutual transfer' system.

The demand was raised in a press release sent to the media on Tuesday (20 October) afternoon on behalf of the teachers.

The release said many teachers posted through the lottery were given workplaces far from their homes in remote areas. As a result, they face various practical problems involving commuting, accommodation, family duties and personal safety.

The teachers propose that those willing to swap workplaces with each other's consent be given a quick opportunity for mutual transfer. This, they say, would ensure consent and convenience for both sides and free many teachers from the hardship of long commutes.

The release further noted that a mutual transfer option is especially important for teachers in char, haor and other remote regions, where transport is often difficult and many teachers must travel long distances every day to reach their schools.

The teachers also asked for special consideration for women teachers. Considering family responsibilities, safety, travel difficulties and social realities, giving women teachers priority or a simpler process in mutual transfer applications would allow them to perform their duties more safely and comfortably, the release said.

The teachers say the facility is not merely for their personal benefit. Only when a teacher is mentally sound, safe and at ease does the learning environment of an entire class stay healthy and effective — the positive impact would fall directly on classroom teaching, the release added.

Notably, since the lottery system was introduced for postings of assistant teachers at government primary schools, dissatisfaction among newly appointed teachers over distant workplaces has surfaced from time to time.

This time, teachers of the 2025 batch have collectively placed their demand before the authorities through a press release. No decision from the Directorate of Primary Education or the relevant authorities on the mutual transfer demand was known yet.

The teachers hope the authorities will quickly formulate a policy and launch the mutual transfer process, so that suffering teachers can, by mutual consent, serve at schools closer to their own areas.