No New Orders on Teachers' Eligibility Test in J&K, Confirms Government
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Jammu, Feb 25 (NationPress) The government of Jammu and Kashmir announced on Wednesday that no new directive has been issued regarding the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) and has refuted claims that teachers who do not pass the TET would be prematurely retired.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo clarified that there is currently no fresh governmental directive concerning the TET and emphasized that there are no immediate intentions to enforce it in J&K.
While addressing the media, Minister Itoo pointed out that, although the Supreme Court had previously mandated that educators in all states and union territories must qualify for the TET, the J&K government is diligently reviewing how this ruling is being implemented in other regions before making any decisions.
She mentioned that upon receiving the pertinent case file, the government opted to first analyze the examination's pattern, implementation methods, and practical effects in other states and UTs.
The Minister noted that the concept of conducting eligibility tests is not a recent development and was even proposed during the administration of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
However, Itoo expressed that it would be unwise to hastily implement such measures, especially given that numerous teachers in J&K have dedicated 25 to 35 years of service and have made significant contributions to society.
She affirmed that any decisions affecting these teachers must be made with thorough consideration of the potential consequences and the realities on the ground. The minister also reminded that the Supreme Court has provided a two-year period to address the matter, indicating no urgency for immediate enforcement in J&K.
“Should it be rolled out nationwide and further instructions be provided by the Supreme Court, we will reevaluate the situation. But for now, there is no immediate obligation for enforcement,” she stated.
Addressing the circulating reports on social media, Itoo indicated that confusion was being stirred regarding a supposed order, reiterating that the government has not issued any such directive for immediate enforcement in Jammu and Kashmir.
She concluded that once the directive is uniformly enforced across India, J&K will make a decision on the matter.