JAMMU, May 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum, led by its UT President Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh, has urged the Government to immediately frame and implement a comprehensive and humanitarian transfer policy for Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers across Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here today, Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh said that thousands of ReT teachers have been serving in remote and far-flung areas for many years with dedication and sincerity but continue to suffer due to the absence of a proper transfer mechanism. He stated that the issue has remained unresolved despite repeated representations and assurances from different quarters.
He said that while employees of other departments are provided transfer benefits on medical, spouse, disability, and humanitarian grounds, ReT teachers are still deprived of such facilities. This, he added, has caused immense hardship and frustration among teachers, particularly female employees and those facing serious family and health-related issues.
Sheikh further said that the School Education Department (SED) had already constituted a committee for framing the transfer policy for ReT teachers, but unfortunately the matter still remains unresolved and teachers continue to wait for justice. He urged the authorities to expedite the process and finalize the policy without further delay.
The Forum President stated that many teachers have completed 15 to 22 years of service in the same areas without any opportunity for adjustment or relocation despite genuine hardships. He emphasized that teachers working in difficult and remote areas have played a crucial role in strengthening the education system and therefore deserve equal treatment and justice.
Ashraf Sheikh stressed that the demand for a transfer policy is a genuine humanitarian issue and not merely an administrative matter. He said that a transparent transfer mechanism would improve employee morale, administrative efficiency, and academic functioning in schools.
He appealed to the Chief Minister, Education Minister, Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, and senior officials of the department to take immediate steps for framing a practical and employee-friendly transfer policy for teachers appointed under the ReT Scheme.
The Forum also reiterated its commitment to continue raising the genuine issues of teachers and expressed hope that the Government would soon take a positive decision in favour of the teaching community.