JAMMU, May 18: A joint meeting of various teachers’ and employees’ organizations was held at Hari Singh Park on Sunday to deliberate upon issues concerning the teaching fraternity, particularly the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) issue and the future course of action regarding the protection of teachers appointed up to October 30, 2019.
The meeting witnessed participation from several prominent organizations, including Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum, All Teachers Association J&K, United School Teachers Association, Jammu and Kashmir Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum, PM Package Employees Union Kashmir and All Jammu Based Reserved Category Employees Association Kashmir JK.
Among those present were Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh, Mrignayani Slathia, Malik Younis Rahi, Vipan Kumar, Sandeep Kumar Bhat, Vikee Pandita, Nazia Farooq, Manik Jamwal, Dinesh Rajput, Vijay Kumar and several other representatives.
After detailed deliberations, the participants unanimously resolved to constitute the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the School Education Department to collectively pursue issues related to the rights, dignity, professional security and welfare of teachers across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, serious concern was expressed over the recent order relating to the TET requirement for in-service teachers. Representatives observed that subjecting long-serving and duly appointed teachers to such measures raises important concerns regarding service conditions, professional dignity and administrative certainty.
The participants maintained that teachers appointed under the prevailing recruitment rules before October 30, 2019, and who have rendered years of service, deserve fair and legally sustainable consideration. They also noted that the Right to Education Act, 2009, and related central regulatory frameworks became applicable to Jammu and Kashmir only after the constitutional and statutory changes of October 30, 2019, making the applicability of such provisions to previously appointed teachers a matter requiring careful legal and policy examination.
The Joint Action Committee unanimously resolved that teachers appointed up to October 30, 2019, must receive due protection and should not face injustice or avoidable hardship.
Taking note of the recent statement of the Education Minister, the participants stressed the need for clear and corrective action to remove uncertainty among teachers. They urged the government to review the matter in the interest of justice, fairness and administrative transparency.
The meeting further decided that the Joint Action Committee would submit a detailed memorandum to the Union Education Minister through Members of Parliament, MLAs and Divisional Commissioners seeking protection and justice for affected teachers.
In a united appeal, all representatives urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene compassionately to safeguard the dignity, livelihood and legitimate rights of teachers.
The leadership of the Joint Action Committee assured the teaching fraternity that all participating organizations remain united and committed to pursuing their concerns through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means.
The meeting concluded with a strong pledge of solidarity, coordination and collective action for the welfare, dignity and professional integrity of the teaching community of Jammu and Kashmir.