Early Times Report
Jammu, July 5: The Working Committee of the Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) convened today under the chairmanship of its State President, Sheikh Mohammad Ashraf, to deliberate on key issues affecting the teaching fraternity and to formulate a comprehensive strategy for pursuing long-pending service and welfare concerns of teachers across Jammu and Kashmir. In his presidential address, Sheikh Mohammad Ashraf reaffirmed JKTF’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and professional interests of teachers. He stated that the Forum has consistently served as a responsible and constructive voice of the teaching community and will continue to engage with the Government and the School Education Department through meaningful dialogue and democratic advocacy to secure timely redressal of genuine grievances. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the long-pending Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) issue concerning in-service teachers. The Working Committee unanimously urged the Government of India to introduce the necessary legislative amendments in Parliament to provide a one-time exemption from the mandatory TET qualification for all eligible in-service teachers. The Committee observed that such a measure would constitute a fair, practical and humanitarian resolution to an issue that has remained unresolved for years despite repeated representations.
The Committee also conducted an in-depth review of the proposed Draft Transfer Policy–2026 and emphasized that the policy must be transparent, equitable, objective and implementation-oriented. It stressed that teachers serving in remote, border, hilly and other difficult areas deserve appropriate consideration and that seniority, medical grounds, family hardships and other legitimate factors should receive due weightage in the transfer framework.
JKTF strongly demanded the inclusion of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers in the proposed Transfer Policy, asserting that after regularization, ReT teachers are entitled to equal transfer opportunities and service benefits in accordance with the governing rules and principles of natural justice.
Expressing serious concern over the prolonged delay in convening the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion of Teachers to Masters, the Working Committee urged the Government to complete the promotion process without any further delay so as to eliminate stagnation, boost professional morale and ensure timely career progression for deserving educators.
The Committee further demanded that the adjustment of Headmasters be carried out strictly in accordance with merit, transparency and established norms, thereby ensuring institutional stability and effective academic administration.
Reiterating its long-standing stand on employees’ social security, JKTF once again demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in place of the National Pension System (NPS), maintaining that government employees who dedicate their lives to public service deserve financial security and dignity after retirement.
The Working Committee also strongly advocated the introduction of a time-bound promotion policy to address the limited promotional avenues available to teachers. It urged the Government to establish a structured career progression mechanism ensuring that every teacher receives at least three promotions during a service span of thirty years, thereby recognizing experience, maintaining motivation and enhancing institutional efficiency.
The Forum also called upon the Government to release all pending Mid-Day Meal (MDM) liabilities at the earliest so that schools do not face unnecessary administrative and financial difficulties.
On the organizational front, the Committee resolved to further strengthen JKTF by expanding its membership base, revitalizing district and zonal units, improving coordination among office bearers and enhancing the Forum’s outreach to ensure that teachers’ concerns are effectively represented before the Government at every level.
The Working Committee unanimously resolved to pursue all these issues with renewed vigour and determination, reaffirming JKTF’s commitment to safeguarding the legitimate rights, professional dignity and welfare of teachers while contributing constructively towards strengthening the education system in Jammu and Kashmir.
Among those present were Rafaqat Hussain Malik, Mohd. Mahroof, Sandeep Kumar Bhat, Sanjeet Sharma, Mehmood-ul-Rayaz, Gulshan Kumar Sharma, Aakash Kashyap, Ganai Nazia Farooq, Vikee Pandita, Joginder Singh Thakur, Jalil Ahmed, Sahil Bharti, Maroof Zargar, Lokesh Sharma, Amarjeet Singh, Satnam Singh, Ali Akbar, Imtiyaz-ul-Haq, Mohd. Amin, Shahbaz Akbar Khan, Bhupinder Singh, Rail Singh, Aakash Bharti, Syed Bashir Qadri, Ashok Kumar, Mohammed Sharif, Wasim Sajjad Wani, Shafiq Mirza, Romesh Kumar, Azad Hussain, Sajjad Hussain, Mehmood Shah, Rakhi Gupta, Wakhil Ahmed, Mansoor Ahmed, Iqbal Ahmed, Mohd. Ashraf, Ghulam Nabi, Nasir Ahmed, Parshotam Singh, Narinder Singh, Gopal Singh, besides other office bearers and members from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and a collective pledge to continue working with unity, dedication and responsibility for the welfare of teachers and the advancement of a stronger, more inclusive and progressive education system across Jammu and Kashmir.
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