Teacher transfers: equalizing deficits across schools

TL;DR

This paper models teacher transfers to balance deficits across schools, proposing a strategy-proof algorithm that ensures equitable redistribution aligned with policy goals.

Contribution

It introduces a Lorenz dominance-based transfer model and a strategy-proof algorithm for teacher redistribution across schools.

Findings

Existence of a Lorenz-dominant transfer vector

Development of a two-stage strategy-proof algorithm

Improved equity in teacher distribution

Abstract

The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009) (RTE) of the Government of India prescribes student-teacher ratios for state-run schools. One method advocated by the Act to achieve its goals is the redeployment of teachers from surplus to deficit (in teacher strength) schools. We consider a model where teachers can either remain in their initially assigned schools or be transferred to a deficit school in their acceptable set. The planner's objective is specified in terms of the post-transfer deficit vector that can be achieved. We show that there exists a transfer whose post-transfer deficit vector Lorenz dominates all achievable post-transfer deficit vectors. We provide a two-stage algorithm to derive the Lorenz-dominant post-transfer deficit vector, and show that this algorithm is strategy-proof for teachers.