Teaching fraternity seeks LG's intervention into 'non-transparent, selective transfers' in SED
Srinagar, Jun 4: The teaching fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir have knocked the door of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over "non transparent and selective transfers" ordered by the School Education Department (SED) under Annual Transfer Drive (ATD). The teachers have sought personal intervention of the LG citing nepotism, favouritism adopted by SED while ordering transfers of the teaching staff.
The teaching fraternity has submitted a detailed representation to the LG citing widespread concern and discontent prevailing among staff members due to the recent "non-transparent and selective transfers" in the department.
As per the representation, the aggrieved teachers have said that influential teachers were adjusted or retained in prestigious institutions like as SCERT, Directorate offices, DIETs, and other programs executed under Samagra Shiksha.
The teaching fraternity has pointed out that some faculty members were given undue favours by the department while the majority of teachers having mature stay in far off areas were not shifted. "A female teacher was transferred back to SCERT despite serving in school for only one and a half years. This has caused serious concern regarding the lack of fairness, transparency, and consistency in the transfer process," the representation reads. It reads that continued retention of some officers at SCERT highlights a selective and arbitrary approach that is detrimental to morale and equity.
"Certain officers posted at SCERT have not even been relieved despite official transfer orders, whereas others were moved instantly," the representation reads.
The teachers have further pointed out selective career advantages given to certain individuals by the department repeatedly. "One lecturer, reportedly completed his PG during his tenure as an RET teacher, which is not permissible under service rules. His regulation as General Line Teacher thereafter raises serious questions and calls for a proper investigation. He has been posted as OSD at DSEK after earlier serving at SCERT for decades. His rotation between Directorate and SCERT seems frequent and unaccounted for," the representation reads.
It has highlighted another manipulated posting a teacher who has managed his posting from civil Secretariat to SCERT and now to Samagra Shiksha. "Such issues reflect systemic favoritism in movement and assignment," the representation reads.
Citing another example to expose favouritism, the representation reads that a newly promoted lecturer has shuttled between the Directorate, DIET Anantnag during his service career, with multiple instances of "being posted on verbal orders, attachments, or deployments." "Yet he is continuously working at DSEK regardless of official postings," it reads. The teachers have cited other examples of teachers receiving undue favours from the department while "sincere and deserving officers" continue to serve in far-off and in Zone III locations, despite already serving extended periods in such places. "Certain individuals enjoy 0-km transfers or intra-district mutual postings in recent transfer order specially in Srinagar district," the representation reads.
It reads that the ATD and zonation policy seem to have been entirely ignored or selectively enforced while ordering the transfers. The teachers have questioned the objective criteria governing these postings to SCERT, DIETs, DSEK, or Samagra. "Why was the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) not applied transparently across the board? How is the zonation policy enforced when certain individuals receive intra-district or 0-km mutual transfers," it reads. The teachers have said that it was more than an administrative grievance as it concerns fairness, morale, and institutional credibility. "If hard work and field service are not valued, and selective privilege overrides merit, the motivation of dedicated educators is eroded," it reads. The teachers have urged the J&K LG to review the recently issued transfer list for better governance and trust building in the department. "An independent inquiry into recent transfer postings and associated irregularities. There should be full implementation of the zonation and rotation policies in letter and spirit," it reads. When contacted, Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo said the department has ordered reshuffle of teaching staff on merits.
"Around 800 teaching faculty has been transferred. The transfers were ordered while considering marriage, health and retirement issues of employees," she said.
