SED must frame proper transfer policy for SSA, ReT teachers

Since the inception of the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir some 20 to 25 years ago, the department has till date failed to frame a transfer policy for the teachers, which form a major chunk in the department, till date.

The delay in the framing of a proper transfer policy for these teachers has adversely affected the personality development and professional growth of teachers.

These teachers, which serve in schools from primary to higher secondary schools, are at times treated as need based employees, who otherwise have kept the flame of education burning in the department, not only in towns but in the remotest areas as well.

Despite giving efforts to improve the educational standards and retain the students in government schools in the remotest areas, these teachers have always become the victim of official apathy in terms of the acceptance by the department.

The exclusion of erstwhile SSA teachers which are now permanently absorbed in the department against available posts as Grade II and Grade III teachers deprives them of professional growth and also face stagnation in their career.

Every year, the School Education Department (SED) reshuffles teaching staff in the schools under Annual Transfer Drive but the department categorically mentions that Teacher-Grade-II, Grade III, RReTs and 3rd Teachers are not covered under this transfer Policy.

It may seem normal to the officers at the helm of affairs to exclude these teachers in the transfer policy but this exclusion is the main reason for the stagnation of these teachers who have been at the forefront to carry forward every mission of the department.

While the department completely ignores them in Transfer Policy, but on the other hand the department utilises the same workforce to streamline the academics in the schools.

Being excluded in the transfer policy, the same teachers are shifted from one school to another school in order to overcome the dearth of the teaching staff in schools, mostly in high and higher secondary schools which do not have adequate lecturers or subject specific teachers.

One fails to understand if the teachers are shifted under the pretext of rationalisation and their attendance is shifted from one school to another school, why the same lot is deprived of a proper transfer policy by the department.

These teachers are being excluded in the transfer policy only because their recruitment was done at local (village) level. But considering the role of these teachers (RReT, Grade II, III), the department has no justification to exclude the Grade II, Grade III and ReT teachers, in the transfer policy.

All these teachers, like General Line Teachers, are working against the available posts.

For over two decades, the Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers as well as the erstwhile SSA teachers presently serving in the department as Grade II and Grade III teachers, have played a pivotal role in shaping the education landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.

These teachers have been the backbone of the government education sector, particularly in rural and far-flung areas where the educational system was almost shut before the launch of ReT scheme and the inception of the centrally sponsored scheme- erstwhile SSA now Samagara Shiksha.

Despite their contributions, these teachers continue to face stagnation and injustice due to the absence of a proper transfer policy.

The ReT and SSA teachers were recruited in the department in early 2000s. While the ReT teachers were smoothly regularised after passage of five years of their services, the erstwhile SSA teachers had to face a lot of struggle which included denial of their monthly salaries for months together. After facing a lot of struggle, the SSA teachers were absorbed as Grade II and Grade III teachers in 2018.

The contributions of ReT, Grade II and Grade III teachers cannot be overlooked because these teachers have been agents of change in their communities.

These teachers have encouraged parents to enroll their children to school besides helping the department to reduce the dropout rates as well.

These teachers have been instrumental in implementing various government schemes and initiatives aimed at improving literacy and education standards.

Amid the declining graph of the enrollment in schools established in towns and cities, these ReT, Grade II and Grade III teachers have been instrumental in maintaining the retention rate in the government schools. These schools have helped the department by maintaining encouraging student enrollment in the schools in far off areas.

Besides putting in their efforts in significantly improving the enrollment, these teachers have guided the students in getting recognition at national international level as well.

Over the students dozens of students in government schools have earned their recognition at National and International stages with the mentorship of the same SSA and ReT teachers, but they themselves are being pushed to the wall when it comes to their own professional growth.

The majority of these teachers have given their blood and sweat in bringing reforms in the education sector at elementary level. These teachers have served in the schools in remote areas while facing all odds.

Despite their invaluable contributions, the ReT and Grade II and III teachers have been left in a state of professional stagnation.

The lack of a transfer policy for these teachers is a glaring issue as most of them have been serving in the same schools for over two decades. Being stuck at one place for an extended period can lead to lack of motivation, which ultimately impacts the quality of education they provide.

Besides male teachers, the female teachers who have got married out of zones or districts, post recruitment, have been the worst victims because of their exclusion in the transfer policy.

Though the department is managing deployment of these teachers on marriage grounds but is not showing any interest in framing a proper transfer policy for them.

Excluding these teachers from a transfer policy is a grave injustice. Being absorbed against the vacant positions in the department, these ReT, Grade II, Grade III teachers can be reshuffled at least within zones or clusters.

This move will provide an exposure to these teachers and great learning experience as well.

The government’s decision to exclude these teachers from transfer policy sends a message of neglect, not acknowledging their contribution towards the department. These teachers deserve recognition and support, not neglect.

The reshuffle of these teachers ideally after every three to four years can infuse the education system with renewed energy and fresh perspectives.

The annual transfers of these teachers will not only allow them to experience diverse work environments while sharing experiences with their seniors, but will also facilitate the exchange of innovative teaching techniques.

Considering these factors, the SED must take a long-overdue step by formulating an inter-zone or intra-zone transfer policy for Grade II and Grade III teachers.

The move would address the issue of stagnation these teachers face and also serve as a well-deserved acknowledgment of their contributions to the education sector since their recruitment in the department.