JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
The possibility of making the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for teachers and masters serving in Jammu and Kashmir has sparked a new debate in the education sector. Thousands of teachers are expressing concern and dissatisfaction over this issue. Teachers say that subjecting them to the new eligibility criteria, despite their years of service and experience, is tantamount to ignoring their contributions.
Ganesh Khajuria, patron of the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKUTF), said that many teachers in the state have been serving in the education department for the past two to three decades. They were appointed under the rules and selection procedures applicable at that time, and they have also actively participated in departmental training and evaluation processes.
He said that making the TET mandatory despite their long service experience could create a sense of insecurity and frustration among teachers. According to them, the primary purpose of the TET was to assess the competence of new candidates, whereas it would be unfair to judge the abilities of teachers who have been teaching students for years based solely on a single exam.
The Forum’s provincial president, Kuldeep Singh Bandaral, also expressed concern over the proposal, stating that if such a provision is implemented, thousands of teachers could face unnecessary mental stress. He stated that teachers’ service experience, academic achievements, and various training programs should be given equal importance.
The Teachers’ Forum demanded that the government consider the circumstances of serving teachers, their years of service, and their contributions to the education system before making any final decision on this matter. The organization clarified that it will continue to raise its voice democratically to protect teachers’ interests and hopes that the government will adopt a sensitive and practical approach to this issue.
It is worth noting that discussions regarding the TET are already underway in the state, and activities are underway at the legal and administrative levels. Consequently, the government’s stance in the coming days could impact the future of thousands of teachers.
