Srinagar, September,26:
The Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum ,Affiliated with AllIndiaSecondaryTeachers Federation, under the leadership of Chairman Mehraj-ud-Din Zargar and President M. Ashraf Sheikh, today met with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah, at the Rabita office Gupkar Road Srinagar. During an in-depth meeting lasting over 20 minutes, the delegation discussed at length the serious implications of the recent Supreme Court verdict mandating the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for all in-service teachers, including those appointed long before the enforcement of the Right to Education Act, 2009 and prior to Reorganization act 2019.
The high-level delegation apprised the Hon’ble Chief Minister of the widespread unrest and anxiety prevailing among thousands of teachers across the Union Territory. It was conveyed that while teachers are not afraid of appearing in any examination, this particular verdict has been widely perceived as a direct insult to the decades of selfless service rendered by the teaching community. The order retroactively questions appointments made through valid recruitment processes and under lawful provisions that were in force at the time, which has caused deep insecurity, demoralization, and distress to teachers and their families.
According to a press statement issued by Chief Spokesperson M. Ashraf Khan, the delegation highlighted that Jammu & Kashmir has a unique constitutional and administrative background that must be taken into account while implementing this verdict. They pointed out that Para 4 of the NCTE Notification dated 23.08.2010 clearly exempts teachers appointed prior to the enforcement of NCTE Regulations, 2001, from the requirement of passing TET. They further explained that the Right to Education Act, 2009, along with the NCTE Regulations, became applicable to Jammu & Kashmir only on 31.10.2019 following constitutional changes. Across the country, teachers appointed before the 2001 NCTE Regulations have been granted exemptions from TET, and therefore, denying similar protection to J&K teachers appointed before 31.10.2019 would be discriminatory and unconstitutional. Such an interpretation would amount to a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality before the law.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, General Secretary Mir Bashir Ahmad said that the Hon’ble Chief Minister patiently listened to the concerns of the leadership and assured that his government will examine the issue with utmost seriousness, keeping in view the legal and constitutional aspects of the judgment. The Hon’ble CM expressed his willingness to explore all possible measures to safeguard the rights, dignity, and interests of the teaching fraternity.
The JKTF leadership also made a heartfelt appeal to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha, urging his immediate intervention in this matter. The Forum requested that the Hon’ble LG take urgent steps to file a review petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India to prevent a grave injustice to thousands of teachers who have dedicated their lives to serving society. They stressed that this step is critical to maintaining the stability of the education sector and protecting the morale of teachers, who are the backbone of the system. The Forum also urged the administration to consider all possible legislative and administrative measures to safeguard service security, career progression, and the dignity of teachers appointed under valid rules before 31.10.2019, while ensuring that no teacher faces undue harassment or threat to employment until a final resolution is achieved.
The delegation expressed its deep faith in both the democratic processes and the leadership of the Union Territory. They reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful and constructive engagement with all stakeholders, while cautioning that continued uncertainty and demoralization could severely disrupt the education system if the matter is left unresolved.
The meeting concluded with the hope that, through the active intervention of Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, this issue will be resolved in a way that upholds justice, fairness, and dignity for the teaching community of Jammu & Kashmir.
The delegation included Mehraj-ud-Din Zargar Chairman, JKTF, M. Ashraf Sheikh President, JKTF, Gh. Mohi-ud-Din Mir Vice Chairman, JKTF, Mir Bashir Ahmad General Secretary, JKTF, M. Ashraf Khan Chief Spokesperson, JKTF, Ab Qayoom Mir (lUT Secretary, JKTF, and Haroon Rasheed UT Additional Organiser, JKTF.
Issued by:
M. Ashraf Khan
Chief Spokesperson, JKTF