Government has not issued any order regarding Teachers Eligibility Test, clarifies J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 25 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Government has clarified that no fresh order has been issued regarding the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) in the Union Territory and said there is no immediate requirement to enforce it here.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo while speaking to reporters today said that although the Hon’ble Supreme Court had earlier directed that teachers across states and Union Territories must qualify the TET, the J&K government is closely examining how the directive is being implemented elsewhere before taking any step.
She said that after receiving the relevant case file, the government decided to first study the pattern, mechanism and practical implications of the examination in other states and UTs.
The Minister remarked that the idea of conducting such eligibility tests was not new and had earlier been envisioned during the tenure of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, with steps initiated at that time by former Education Minister Naeem Akhtar through the RET examination framework.
However, she said it would not be appropriate to rush implementation, especially when many teachers in J&K have rendered 25 to 35 years of service and have contributed significantly to society by educating generations of students who are now serving as doctors, engineers, IAS, KAS officers, professors and other professionals.
She maintained that any decision impacting such teachers must be taken after careful consideration of consequences and ground realities.
The Minister further stated that the Supreme Court has itself provided a two-year window in the matter and clarified that there is no urgency for immediate enforcement in J&K.
“If it is implemented across the country and further directions are received from the Hon’ble Supreme Court, we will review the matter accordingly. But as of now, there is no immediate enforcement,” she said.

(Straight Talk Communications)