Priority for difficult areas, disability, award-winning teachers
Srinagar, Jun 28: The School Education Department (SED) has placed its Draft Transfer Policy 2026 in the public domain and invited comments, suggestions and objections from stakeholders and the general public within 15 days. The proposed policy aims to bring greater transparency,fairness and accountability to the transfer and posting process of teaching and administrative staff across J&K.According to the draft, the policy will cover teachers, masters, lecturers, headmasters, principals, Zonal Education Officers and Chief Education Officers serving under the department.
An online transfer portal will be used for processing transfers, while a digital database of employees’ service records, posting history and tenure details will also be maintained.The department has proposed a classification of schools into five zones based on accessibility and distance from district headquarters. Employees posted in difficult and inaccessible areas will be rotated after completing fixed tenures.
Staff serving in Zone V areas, identified as the most challenging locations, will receive priority consideration for postings in other areas after completion of their prescribed tenure.The draft also proposes an annual transfer schedule. Vacancy details are expected to be published in April, applications invited in May, while transfer orders are proposed to be issued between June and July before the start of the new academic session. However, transfers during the academic year may still be carried out in exceptional circumstances and administrative exigencies.
A major feature of the policy is the introduction of a Transfer Assessment Matrix, a point-based system that will determine transfer priorities. Additional points have been proposed for service in difficult areas, age, disability, serious illness, government employee spouses, award winning teachers and employees nearing retirement.
The draft provides special provisions for government employee couples, persons with benchmark disabilities, widows, divorcees, single parents and employees facing serious medical or security related issues. It also proposes compassionate and priority transfers in deserving cases supported by documentary evidence.
The department has further proposed a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism at institutional, district and Union Territory levels to address complaints arising from transfer decisions. Representations are proposed to be disposed of within 15 days wherever possible.Officials said the proposed policy is intended to ensure equitable distribution of staff, improve educational administration and strengthen academic functioning across schools in J&K while keeping students’ interests at the centre of transfer related decisions.
