JAMMU, Jun 29: The Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) has urged the Government to review the recently notified Transfer Policy–2026 and extend its provisions to Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) and Regularized Rehbar-e-Taleem (RReT) teachers, who have been excluded under Clause 9.6 of the policy.
In a statement issued here, JKTF UT President and National Leader of AISTF Mohd Ashraf Sheikh expressed concern over the exclusion of ReT-born teachers from the transfer framework, stating that the decision has left a large section of the teaching community without access to a transparent transfer mechanism.
He said that ReT and Regularized ReT teachers have served the School Education Department for decades, including in remote and far-flung areas, and have played a significant role in strengthening the public education system across Jammu & Kashmir.
“ReT and RReT teachers have rendered dedicated service under challenging conditions for many years. After regularisation, they perform the same academic duties and shoulder the same responsibilities as other teachers. Therefore, denying them the benefits of the Transfer Policy raises concerns of fairness and administrative equity,” Sheikh said.
The Forum maintained that once regularized, RReT teachers become part of the mainstream departmental framework and should be governed by uniform service conditions. It added that excluding such a substantial segment of the workforce from the transfer policy creates an imbalance in administration and employee welfare.
Referring to judicial observations and established service principles, JKTF stated that the interests of regularized employees should be protected in accordance with the principles of equality, fairness and uniformity in service matters.
The Forum also pointed out that the Government had already constituted a committee through Government Order No. 687-JK(Edu) of 2025 dated December 2, 2025, to formulate a transfer mechanism for Regularized Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers. However, it noted that the committee’s recommendations have not yet been made public.
JKTF observed that while the Transfer Policy–2026 contains detailed provisions relating to general transfers, mutual transfers, compassionate grounds, hard-zone rotation and grievance redressal, the exclusion of ReT and RReT teachers has left nearly 65,000 teachers outside its ambit.
Sheikh questioned how the objectives of maintaining the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) and ensuring equitable staff distribution could be effectively achieved without including such a significant section of the School Education Department workforce.
The Forum further highlighted that many ReT and RReT teachers have completed long tenures in the same schools and continue to face genuine hardships related to difficult postings, medical issues, spouse grounds and other humanitarian concerns.
JKTF demanded that the Government either amend Clause 9.6 to include ReT and RReT teachers within the Transfer Policy–2026 or notify a separate transparent, practical and equitable transfer mechanism specifically for them.
The Forum expressed confidence that an inclusive transfer policy would enhance employee morale, promote equitable treatment and contribute to improved academic outcomes in government schools.
JKTF also appealed to Education Minister Sakina Itoo and the School Education Department to address the issue on priority and ensure justice for ReT and RReT teachers.