In Bengal colleges, divorced or widowed women teachers to get preference in transfers

West Bengal has widened the grounds for women teachers in government-aided colleges to seek transfers by including issues like gynaecological health and marital status as reasons for moving out of the locations they are serving in. According to a new order, issued earlier this month, any female teacher facing “serious gynaecological disorder” or “facing serious problem in attending college because of desertion, divorce or death of husband” will be given preference when it comes to transfers. Vacancies should be filled up with utmost urgency,” said Jaydeep Sarangi, Principal of Kolkata’s New Alipore College Dr. Arunima Roychoudhuri, who teaches history at Sundarban Mahavidyalaya in Kakdwip, said, “Personally, I would like to thank the government for its concern about working females. For a child, mother is important undoubtedly, but so is the father.” ‘Years should be considered’ Many teachers feel that the years put in service should also be given weightage when deciding on transfer because there is a large number of both male and female teachers who have lived away from their families or travelled for over four hours each day for more than 20 years. “Not only will female teachers suffering from medical issues get preference when seeking transfer, I would say the government has also shown sensitivity by giving consideration to women divorced and widowed.