Srinagar: The J&K Teachers Forum (JKTF), affiliated with the All India Secondary Teachers Federation (AISTF), has taken a firm stand against administrative inefficiencies and corruption in the education system. A high-level delegation, led by Chairman Showkat Ali Beig, met Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Dr. G.N. Itoo, in Srinagar and submitted a comprehensive memorandum outlining urgent policy reforms necessary to safeguard the rights of teachers and improve the education sector.
The memorandum demanded immediate action on issues ranging from staff shortages, service-related grievances, rationalization, transfer policies, and structural transparency to eliminating corruption and favoritism within the department.
The JKTF has called for the immediate empowerment of district and sectoral officers to streamline decision-making and improve school management. They demanded expedited confirmations and timely promotions for teachers, Headmasters, lecturers, and ZEOs in line with NEP 2020 guidelines to ensure a merit-based career progression framework besides advocated for a structured transfer policy for ministerial staff as well.
The Rationalization of Teaching Staff was emphasized, advocating for “one teacher one classroom policy”. The Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) and Hardship Postings policy must be revised to ensure that teachers posted in hard zones are transferred back to soft zones in a time-bound manner, preventing undue delays and exploitation.
The delegation also called for an end to ad-hocism by ensuring the timely updating of seniority lists every six months and conducting DPC meetings twice a year to facilitate transparent and justifiable promotions.
To eliminate corruption and unnecessary delay , JKTF strongly advocated the introduction of an E-Filing System to digitize and streamline service-related matters, curb human intervention, and minimize bribery and favoritism. They demanded DDO powers for every institution to prevent unnecessary delays in salary disbursal and financial transactions.
The Forum also stressed the urgent need for reforms in the Midday Meal (MDM) scheme, suggesting that NGOs or specialized agencies handle its implementation instead of burdening teachers with financial management. Additionally, the Forum demanded the immediate promotion of FAT teachers, the timely availability of uniforms and textbooks for students, the repatriation of teachers from non-teaching assignments, the regularization of CPWs, and the settlement of pending winter tutorial payments (2019-20), including the acceptance of self-attested documents. Leaders appreciated efforts of DSEK in making record promotions and clarity in issuing certain circulars.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Chairman Showkat Ali Beig, while expressing hope that the demands projected would be considered, issued a stern warning against those involved in corruption, directing all JKTF leaders across the Union Territory to actively fight bribery and favoritism in the department.
“We are committed to protecting the rights of our community, but every member must ensure quality education and a corruption-free system. Any individual indulging in corruption will be confronted and exposed,” Beig asserted.
General Secretary Mir Bashir Ahmad reiterated JKTF’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, declaring a “War Against Corruption.”
“There are growing concerns that corruption is creeping into the system. Some officials are exploiting the transfer process for personal gains. We have strongly advocated for a ‘Teacher-Friendly Transfer Policy.’ Considering the sacredness of our profession, we will not allow anyone to commercialize transfers at the cost of hardworking teachers. Our worthy Director is known for his honesty and fairness, and we stand firmly with him in eliminating this menace,” Mir Bashir stated.
He further emphasized that the Forum is fully committed to ensuring that teachers posted in hard zones are transferred back to soft zones in a fair and timely manner. He appealed to DSEK to invite forum leaders for discussions on a Teacher-Friendly Transfer Policy and a transparent system in the department.
“If needed, we are prepared to take a tough stand to safeguard our teachers’ rights. However, we also expect every member to stand with us in eliminating corruption and giving their best in classrooms,” he added.
JKTF pledged full cooperation with the Directorate to ensure a fair, transparent, and accountable education system in Jammu & Kashmir and expressed hope that service-related matters will be resolved on time with the introduction of a “Teacher-Friendly Ecosystem” in the department.
Among others, Provincial President (Kashmir) Irfan Nazeer, Vice President Mehraj Ud Din Zargar, UT Press & Publicity Incharge M.Ashraf Khan, Sr Leaders Bashir Ahmad Thoker,Gulzar Ahmad,Bashir Ahmad Paddar, were also part of the delegation.
