JAMMU, May 25: A meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum was held on Monday at Hari Singh Park, Jammu, under the leadership of UT President Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh to deliberate upon issues concerning in-service teachers, particularly the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) matter.
The meeting witnessed participation of a large number of teachers from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh urged the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to immediately file a Review Petition before the Supreme Court to safeguard the interests of thousands of in-service teachers appointed prior to October 31, 2019.
He stated that these teachers were appointed strictly under the rules and eligibility conditions prevailing at the time of their appointments and should not be subjected to retrospective implementation of TET norms.
The Forum also appealed to the UT Government to take necessary constitutional, legal and legislative measures, including suitable amendments, to protect in-service teachers from uncertainty and injustice.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the implications of the Supreme Court judgment in Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taleem Trust vs State of Maharashtra & Others, Civil Appeal No. 1385 of 2025. The Forum expressed concern that any misinterpretation of the judgment in the context of Jammu and Kashmir could adversely affect thousands of teachers appointed before the extension of the Right to Education Act, 2009 and NCTE Regulations to Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019.
The Forum highlighted that the NCTE notification dated August 23, 2010 exempts teachers appointed prior to enforcement of NCTE Regulations, 2001 from acquiring TET and related qualifications. It maintained that teachers appointed before October 31, 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir were selected under the recruitment rules applicable in the erstwhile State and therefore deserve similar protection.
The Forum further stated that any discriminatory interpretation would violate Article 14 of the Constitution and lead to injustice and hardship for thousands of serving teachers.
Appealing to the Union Education Minister, Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister of J&K, the Forum sought urgent clarification regarding applicability of the judgment to teachers of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting concluded with a resolve that the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum would continue its democratic and legal struggle for protection of teachers’ rights and service security. Teachers were also urged to remain united and prepared for future collective action.
Among others, Gulshan Sharma and Ganai Nazia Farooq attended the meeting.