“Is the Wait Over? Teachers in J&K Hope for Fair Transfers Under ATD 2025

By Ayaz Mughal

Is the long wait of teachers for ATD finally going to end? Are teachers finally going to get the transfers they’ve been promised?

These are the questions echoing across staff rooms and WhatsApp groups of government teachers in Jammu and Kashmir. And now, after months of uncertainty, the answer may finally be in sight.

The long-awaited Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) 2024/25 for teachers in the Kashmir division has officially begun. Aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness in teacher postings, this initiative promises to optimize human resources and address acute teacher shortages in various government schools. According to credible sources in the education department, a similar exercise is set to begin in the Jammu division by June 1, bringing a ray of hope to thousands of educators who have been waiting patiently for years.

However, beyond these optimistic headlines lies a deeper and more painful story, a story of delays, bureaucratic silence, and the erosion of trust among some of the most committed public servants in our system: our teachers.

The ATD process was initiated  in July 2024 with a promise of justice, equity, and transparency in the transfer system. Teachers across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir applied with hope, diligently completing all procedures, believing that their years of service, especially in remote and hard-to-reach zones, would finally be acknowledged.

But soon, the process was abruptly stalled, reportedly due to the upcoming Assembly elections. Since then, there has been no official update, no communication, and most importantly, no accountability.

Behind the spreadsheets and data dashboards are real human stories. Teachers who have spent 10 to 15 years serving in the toughest terrains of the region, isolated from their families, working in areas with poor infrastructure, harsh weather, and inadequate resources, are left feeling neglected.

Worse still, while these committed educators wait in silence, others with connections or political backing manage to secure favorable postings repeatedly. This undermines not just morale, but also the core values of fairness and equal opportunity.

Let it be known: teachers are not asking for privileges. They are only demanding what was promised, a fair transfer policy, implemented with transparency and accountability.

As we approach June 1, when the teacher transfer process is set to begin in Jammu division, there is a pressing need to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated. The education department of J&K must uphold its commitment to equity, treating every teacher with the dignity and respect they rightfully deserve.

A demoralized teacher cannot inspire. A teacher burdened with uncertainty and neglect cannot perform to the best of their ability. If we want to strengthen our education system, we must begin by standing with our teachers not in speeches, but in action.

Let the ATD 2025 not be remembered as another bureaucratic formality. Let it be remembered as a turning point, a moment when the system chose to honor its word and restore faith among those who form its very backbone.

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  ????  The author can reached at editorkaangri@gmail.com and  WhatsApp: 9797582733