Srinagar, Dec 2: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday constituted a six-member committee to formulate a transfer policy for the regularised Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers working in the School Education Department (SED).
The move comes amid the persistent demand of the teaching fraternity, who were recruited as ReT teachers in the erstwhile SSA scheme and are now being absorbed into the department as Grade-II and Grade-III teachers.
Since the inception of the scheme in J&K in early 2000, the ReTs have continued to be posted in the schools that were their first places of posting.
Even if the teachers were shifted to other schools from their original place of postings, on an academic arrangement basis, officially, these teachers are not yet covered under any transfer policy in the department.
Over the years, these teachers were excluded during the mass reshuffle of the teaching community in the department, which, according to the teachers, was a grave injustice to them.
With the formulation of a transfer policy, these teachers will get exposure, besides learning experience as well.
The teachers said their regular reshuffle can infuse the education system with renewed energy and fresh perspectives.
“The routine transfers will not only allow us to experience diverse work environments while sharing experiences with their seniors, but will also facilitate the exchange of innovative teaching techniques as well,” a group of teachers said.
The teachers are hopeful that with the formulation of a transfer policy, their stagnation will be over and their contributions towards the department will be acknowledged.
As per the government order issued by Secretary SED, Ram Niwas Sharma, the six-member committee comprises Special Secretary SED, Additional Secretary SED, Joint Director Central SED, Joint Director Jammu SED, Deputy Secretary SED, and Under Secretary of the SED.
The committee has been constituted to examine all the issues connected with transfers, postings, and adjustments of ReTs and to formulate a comprehensive, transparent, and uniform transfer policy for regularised ReTs across J&K.
“The committee will study the existing norms regarding the transfer of regularised ReTs and will propose a uniform, need-based, and student-centric transfer policy for these teachers,” the order reads. “The proposal must ensure the rationalisation of staff, transparency, and administrative efficiency.”
The committee formulating the transfer policy will also assess the feasibility of periodic transfers, hardship postings, and tenure-based placements of these teachers.
“The committee shall submit a detailed report along with a draft transfer policy to the government within two months,” the order reads.
