End Discrimination Against Private School Teachers: Educators Seek Retirement Age Hike from 58 to 60 Years
Reyaz Rashid
Baramulla, July 8:The teaching staff of Islamia Model High School, Fatehgarh, Baramulla, has urged the authorities to extend the retirement age of teachers from 58 to 60 years, stating that the existing policy places an unfair financial burden on educators serving in private institutions and amounts to discrimination.
In a written application addressed to the Principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Fatehgarh, the teachers pointed out that while the retirement age for government employees in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 60 years, teachers in their institution are being superannuated at 58 years, creating an unjust disparity.
The teachers said the premature retirement not only curtails their service but also deprives many of them of adequate financial security at a crucial stage of life. They maintained that private school teachers already lack several post-retirement safeguards available to their counterparts in the government sector, making the two-year difference even more inequitable.Seeking parity, the teachers appealed for the retirement age to be enhanced to 60 years so that private school educators are treated on an equal footing with government teachers.
The teachers also made a strong appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools Association to immediately take up the issue with the Government and the School Education Department. They urged the Association not to remain a silent spectator but to stand firmly with thousands of private school teachers who have devoted decades of their lives to educating society.Calling it a matter of justice, dignity and equal treatment, the teachers urged the Association to launch a sustained dialogue with the authorities and press for immediate policy reforms to end what they described as the continued discrimination and marginalisation of private school teachers in Jammu and Kashmir.
They further appealed to the School Education Department and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to frame a uniform and equitable retirement policy for all teachers, irrespective of whether they serve in government or recognised private institutions, ensuring that no educator is denied equal rights after rendering decades of dedicated service.The teachers expressed hope that the concerned authorities and stakeholders would take compassionate and timely action to address their long-pending grievance in the interest of fairness and social justice.