SRINAGAR: A delegation of the Jammu Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee (JKECC) today called on Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister for timely and considerate intervention in keeping in abeyance the order concerning the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement for in-service teachers across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation, led by senior representatives of JKECC, apprised the Minister of widespread concerns and anxiety among thousands of serving teachers following the issuance of the order. They highlighted that many experienced educators, who have been rendering dedicated services in far-flung and challenging areas for years, were apprehensive about the implications of the directive on their professional stability and morale.
In her interaction with the delegation, the Education Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to the welfare of the teaching community. She assured the representatives that the department remains open to consultations with stakeholders to ensure that reforms in the education sector are implemented in a manner that is fair, transparent, and in the larger interest of both students and teachers. “Teachers in Jammu and Kashmir have consistently contributed to society and have strengthened the education system despite infrastructural constraints, climatic challenges and difficult terrain”, Minister Sakeena said.
The Minister asked the delegation to extend cooperation to the Department in its ongoing efforts to enhance quality education and implement progressive reforms. She added that such collaborative engagement between the government and employee representatives would continue in the future for the overall development of the education sector across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, the delegation apprised the Minister that the decision to revoke the order has brought immense relief to the teaching fraternity and has reaffirmed their faith in the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of employees. They described the Minister’s action as empathetic, pragmatic and pro-education, noting that it reflects a balanced approach between maintaining academic standards and recognising the ground realities faced by teachers.
They stated that the Government’s responsiveness has not only addressed an administrative concern but has also boosted the morale of educators who form the backbone of the region’s schooling framework.
