SRINAGAR, Jul 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers’ Joint Action Committee (JKTJAC) on Friday organised a one-day Teachers’ Convention at Teachers’ Bhavan, Srinagar, bringing together hundreds of teachers from across Jammu and Kashmir to discuss issues concerning the education sector and the welfare of teaching staff.
The convention was held under the leadership of JKTJAC UT Chairman Saleem Sagar and UT President Vinod Sharma. Minister for Education Sakina Masood Itoo attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmed Wani (JKAS), Special Secretary, Additional Secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Minister were the Guests of Honour.
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Sakina Masood Itoo praised the teaching fraternity for its contribution towards improving educational standards in government schools. Highlighting recent reforms undertaken by the department, she referred to the change of academic session in winter zone schools, timely distribution of textbooks to students and the fast-track filling of posts of Chief Education Officers (CEOs), Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), Principals and Headmasters through Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).
The Minister called upon teachers to continue working with dedication to further strengthen the quality of education. She assured full government support in resolving the ongoing TET-related issues and stated that teachers would not be subjected to unnecessary harassment. She also assured that the concerns raised by the JKTJAC leadership, including the transfer policy for teachers appointed under the ReT scheme and pending DPCs, would be addressed in a phased manner.
Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmed Wani highlighted the achievements of the School Education Department and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to resolving teachers’ genuine grievances.
JKTJAC UT President Vinod Sharma thanked the Education Minister for her decisions aimed at strengthening the education system. He appreciated the constitution of a committee to frame a transfer policy for ReT teachers and acknowledged the government’s support on the TET issue. Sharma also urged the government to expedite DPCs for teachers to Masters, release pending Mid-Day Meal reimbursements, and regularise the remaining Education Volunteers (EVs).
UT Chairman Saleem Sagar raised several key demands, including restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for employees appointed after January 1, 2010, resolution of issues concerning Aayas and Cooks, recognition of multiple postgraduate degrees, and creation of Master posts in middle schools upgraded under SSA.
General Secretary Najam Jafri advocated for a uniform transfer policy across all teaching cadres and sought an extension of the one-time exemption period for recognising teachers’ acquired degrees.
Several teacher representatives from different districts also addressed the convention and reiterated the need for early resolution of long-pending service and welfare-related issues. The event concluded with JKTJAC expressing hope that the government would take timely action on the demands placed before the Education Minister.