Teachers posted in remote areas of Bandipora rue delay in transfers

Bandipora, Oct 21: Teachers posted in the remote and challenging areas of zone 5 under the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) 2023 in Bandipora district have appealed to the Education Minister for immediate intervention to expedite their transfers back to their home zones.

In Bandipora, the upper hilly and inaccessible areas, particularly the Gurez region, fall within this zone.

The teachers state that they have completed the mandatory one-year tenure in Zone 5 by July of this year and have submitted their transfer applications through the ATD link during July-August 2024.

However, they express that the “delay” in issuing transfer orders has caused significant “distress” among them.

Several teachers told Greater Kashmir that they fear prolonged waiting will only “worsen their situation as they continue to face difficulties while serving in these far-flung areas.”

“We have fulfilled our commitment by completing the required tenure, and now we appeal to the Education Minister to issue our transfer orders promptly,” said one teacher from Gurez, who requested anonymity.

“If we are transferred according to ATD guidelines, it will benefit both the teachers and the students,” the teacher added.

The teachers emphasized that the “ongoing delay” in transfers is causing unnecessary hardships, but they remain “hopeful” that their “concerns” will be addressed.

“We, the teachers in Zone 5, are eagerly awaiting our transfer orders,” another teacher noted. He expressed “high hopes” that swift action will “alleviate our suffering.”

“We trust that the Education Minister will hear our plea and provide the much-needed relief as outlined in the ATD rule book.”

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bandipora, Kishore Kumar, told Greater Kashmir that the last date for ATD transfers was in August, but the “process was delayed due to elections.” He mentioned that there has been “no verification” of the online applications or any other processes conducted by the higher authorities since then.

Kumar stated it would be “good” if transfers could occur without further delay, noting that the policy helps maintain the teacher-student ratio in certain instances. He added that the policy also applies to lecturers for one year.

Kumar pinned hope on the new government.