Even after the successful conduct of a crucial meeting by the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, Jammu and Kashmir, on 25th of August 2025, the recruitment process for Vocational Trainers (VTs) under the Chirag of 2025 initiative has not yet commenced. The delay has raised concern among stakeholders, including vocational training providers and schools implementing the vocational education scheme.
As per Meeting Notice No. Edu/SPD/SmS/3166–92/2025-26, Dated 12.08.2025, the meeting was convened in the conference hall of the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, Jammu. The agenda was to review and finalize the allocation of 2294 vocational trainers across 1346 approved government schools in the Union Territory under Samagra Shiksha.
The meeting was chaired by the Director Planning, School Education Department, and attended by senior officers including the Joint Director Industries Jammu/Kashmir, Deputy Director Planning (Samagra Shiksha J&K), Chief Accounts Officer, and representatives from the Skill Development Department, along with nominated Chief Education Officers from both divisions.
The objective of the meeting was to assess the implementation of the vocational education component and evaluate the performance of existing Vocational Training Providers (VTPs).
Following the meeting, all Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) were directed to submit authenticated and verified organizational details by August 20, 2025, in both soft and hard copy formats, for thorough evaluation. The directive also cautioned that the submission of false or misleading data would result in the immediate termination of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the respective organization.
Despite the completion of all required procedures and the official meeting, the recruitment and deployment of new vocational trainers have yet to commence. This delay has created uncertainty among trainers and negatively impacted vocational education activities in numerous schools. Classes have either been slowed down or remain non-operational due to the lack of trainers.
Stakeholders from various districts have voiced their disappointment with the lack of action, highlighting that the meeting’s primary objective was to expedite recruitment and ensure the continuity of vocational training programmes. A senior educator stated, “The meeting fostered optimism for the timely engagement of trainers, yet no tangible progress has been observed to date.” Schools are facing challenges in delivering skill-based subjects due to insufficient teaching staff.
Vocational education, under the Samagra Shiksha framework, is designed to provide students with employable skills, bridging the gap between education and industry. Delays in the recruitment process not only disrupt classroom learning but also limit students’ access to practical, job-oriented training.
Education professionals and VTP representatives have urged the School Education Department and Samagra Shiksha authorities to promptly initiate the recruitment process. They have also requested transparent and timely communication regarding the selection and placement of vocational trainers to ensure the objectives of the 2025 initiative are fully realized.
