Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) Faces Controversy in District Poonch

Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) Faces Controversy in District Poonch

The Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) introduced by the School Education Department to facilitate online transfers of General Line Teachers (GLT) and Master Grades has been marred by controversy in District Poonch. The transfer process, initially scheduled to take place without disruption to the academic session, has been postponed due to discrepancies and concerns raised by teachers.

The transfer policy, outlined in the Government Order No. 103 JK (Edu)-2023 dated 24-04-2023 and notification No. 01-JK (Edu) of 2023 dated 26-04-2023, mandated an online transfer portal, schedujammu.nic.in/atd, for receiving applications from 27-04-2023 to 15-05-2023. The policy allowed candidates to choose their preferred zones from 1 to 5 based on their distance from the headquarters, as demarcated by the department. Additionally, teachers already stationed in zones 3, 4, and 5 were given the option to continue in their current zones.

It was made mandatory for teachers to submit the online transfer form; failure to do so would result in salary withholding. Furthermore, if any teacher failed to submit the form, the department would have the authority to transfer them at their discretion.

The transfer process is nearing completion, and the department has issued a list of teachers to be considered for transfers. However, a significant point of contention has emerged in District Poonch. Out of the 1363 teachers who applied for transfers, 508 teachers expressed their willingness to continue in zones 3, 4, and 5 and only 235 have been considered, leaving 620 teachers in limbo. These 620 teachers are wondering why they have not been included in the transfer list despite opting for transfers.

Another issue causing confusion among the teaching fraternity is the demarcation of zones. Government Order No. 103-JK(Edu) of 2023 dated 24-04-2023 laid out the criteria for zones 1 to 5. Zone 1 comprises the area within the municipal limits of the district headquarters, while zone 2 extends up to 20 kilometers outside the municipal limits. Zone 3 covers the area beyond 20 kilometers up to 40 kilometers, and zone 4 encompasses areas where a change of residence is required, with no motorable roads and a walking distance of 7 kilometers from the nearest road. Zone 5 comprises inaccessible areas.

However, it appears that the policy has some flaws, particularly in District Poonch. Several schools have been placed in zone 2 when they should fall under zone 3 according to the criteria, and vice versa. For example, schools such as Rajpura, Plera, LoyalBela, Loran, Kharapa, Sawajian, Bedar, and Khaith, all with distances exceeding the 20-kilometer limit, have been erroneously placed in zone 2 instead of zone 3.

The miscalculations in the demarcation of zones have caused dissatisfaction among teachers, as it undermines the purpose of the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD). The policy's intent was to ensure fair and equitable transfers based on factors such as distance and accessibility. However, the inaccuracies in determining zones have created an unjust situation for teachers who rightfully expected to be considered for transfers based on the established criteria.

Additionally, in accordance with notification number 01-JK(Edu) of 2023, dated 26-04-2023, employees stationed in zones 1, 2, and 3, with a tenure of 3 years or more, are required to submit transfer applications. Similarly, employees stationed in zones 4 and 5 must have completed respective tenures of 2 and 1 year. 

Moreover, it was notified that that the decision to accept or reject transfers would be based on the maximum tenure period. However, it has come to attention that certain teachers have exceeded the maximum tenure of 17 years without being transferred, while others have surpassed 12 years yet the department has not considered their transfer requests. This suggests that there may be flaws in the policy or a lack of proper implementation.

In light of these discrepancies, it is crucial for the School Education Department to address the concerns raised by the affected teachers. A transparent and fair resolution is necessary to restore confidence in the transfer process and uphold the principles of equity and merit. Rectifying the zone demarcation errors in District Poonch and ensuring that all eligible teachers are considered for transfers will be essential steps in this regard.

Efforts should also be made to streamline the transfer process and ensure that such discrepancies do not occur in future iterations of the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD). Proper oversight, clarity in guidelines, and adherence to the established policies will go a long way in avoiding confusion and fostering a positive environment within the teaching fraternity.

The transfer of teachers plays a crucial role in optimizing the education system by bringing fresh perspectives, experiences, and expertise to different schools and districts. It is vital to ensure that this process is conducted with the utmost fairness, transparency, and accuracy to benefit both teachers and students alike. Only then can the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) fulfill its purpose of enhancing the quality of education in Jammu and Kashmir.