Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) on Tuesday expressed resentment over the recent government order mandating the conduct of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for all in-service teachers.
Terming the move ‘unjustified and against the honour and dignity of the teaching fraternity’, JKTF, in a statement, said the order has caused deep anguish and uncertainty among thousands of teachers who have devoted their prime years to serving the School Education Department (SED).
In the statement, JKTF Chairman Mohammad Shafi Rather and Provincial President Javid Ahmad Bhat said that while the teaching community has always welcomed examinations or assessments linked to promotions and career progression, making such tests mandatory for continuation in service is unjustified, unacceptable, and contrary to the dignity of educators.
“Discontinuing the services of teachers who fail to qualify the TET, despite having rendered years of dedicated service, would be highly unfair and demoralizing,” it reads.
Provincial president JKTF, Javid Ahmad Bhat said the forum was not opposing assessments in principle but any such evaluation should be conducted as an in-house departmental test with clearly defined eligibility criteria, including a minimum of five years of service and requisite professional qualifications such as B.Ed, adding, such assessments should be linked solely to functional promotions and career advancement, rather than to continuation of service.
JKTF appealed to the J&K Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to personally intervene in the matter and review the order in the interest of justice, fairness, and the morale of the teaching community.
