SRINAGAR, Jul 25: A high-level delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF), affiliated with the All India State Teachers Federation (AISTF), on Thursday called on Education Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo at the Civil Secretariat here and submitted a comprehensive charter of demands seeking the resolution of long-pending service issues and measures aimed at strengthening the School Education Department.
According to a press statement issued by JKTF UT Spokesperson Anjum Nissar, the delegation, led by Forum Chairman Mehraj-ud-Din Zargar, urged the government to expedite promotions of teachers, masters and other teaching and non-teaching staff, clear all pending One-Time Exemption cases, issue subject-wise seniority lists followed by promotions to the post of Lecturer, confirm Incharge Lecturers, release pending school maintenance grants and ensure timely disbursement of Mid-Day Meal (MDM) funds.
The Forum also sought enhancement of wages for Cook-cum-Helpers, establishment of the Complex Head system for effective academic monitoring, inclusion of the probation period of SRO-202 teachers as qualifying service for seniority, promotions, increments, pension and other service benefits, removal of service anomalies, implementation of the government order granting pensionary benefits to RET teachers by counting five years of service, and speedy disposal of pending suspension cases, besides raising several other service-related issues.
The delegation also submitted a separate memorandum pertaining to Jammu Division, forwarded by JKTF UT President Sheikh Mohammad Ashraf. The memorandum highlighted issues including Zone-V and mutual transfers, promotions of teachers, masters and headmasters, clearance of One-Time Exemption cases, including cut-off date degree cases, staff shortages and other long-pending demands. The Forum requested a separate meeting with representatives from Jammu Division, to which the Education Minister agreed.
Giving a patient hearing to the delegation, Education Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo assured the Forum that all genuine demands would be examined sympathetically and addressed in a phased manner. She reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of teachers and said that promotions, service matters and improving the quality of education remain among the top priorities of the School Education Department. The Minister also appreciated the constructive role played by the JKTF in projecting the concerns of the teaching fraternity.
Speaking on the occasion, JKTF Chairman Mehraj-ud-Din Zargar and UT General Secretary Mir Bashir Ahmad thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo, Rajya Sabha MP Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan and other leaders for adopting what they described as a teacher-friendly approach on the TET issue. They reaffirmed the teaching fraternity’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen quality education across Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, the delegation met Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Naseer Ahmad Wani (KAS) and appreciated his efforts in ensuring the timely disposal of official files and facilitating the promotion of more than 530 Masters. The Director informed the delegation that another phase of promotions of teachers and masters is likely within the next two to three months to ensure timely career progression. He urged teachers to continue working with dedication for improving the quality of education in government schools.
The delegation comprised Vice Chairman M. Yousuf Dar, Vice President Sheikh Manzoor Ahmad, UT Finance Secretary M. Hayat, Provincial Joint Secretary Lone Showkat, UT Secretary Mir Abdul Qayoom, District President Kupwara Lone Altaf, District President Srinagar Mir Junaid Ahmad, Vice District President Bandipora Majid Majeed, Zonal Presidents Khan Atif Abdullah and Malik Rafeeq, besides several other office bearers.
Subsequently, UT General Secretary Mir Bashir Ahmad, Provincial Joint Secretary Lone Showkat and Vice District President Bandipora Majid Majeed also called on Sonawari MLA Hilal Akbar Lone and apprised him of infrastructure deficiencies, staff shortages and other issues affecting schools, students and teachers in the constituency. The MLA assured the delegation that all genuine issues would be taken up with the concerned authorities for their early redressal.