Srinagar, Sept 5: Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday said the government will move a resolution in the forthcoming session of the J&K Legislative Assembly seeking support on the issue of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers.
The minister’s remarks come amid growing anxiety among teachers following the Supreme Court’s direction making TET qualification mandatory for teachers serving in primary and upper-primary classes.
Itoo said the J&K government has already approached the Supreme Court through a review petition, seeking reconsideration of the order.
She expressed concern over the impact of the controversy on teachers and, consequently, on students’ education.
“The government has already approached the honourable court. But the teachers are under a lot of stress. The education of children is also getting affected. If a teacher is mentally disturbed, how can he teach children?” she said.
The minister maintained that the matter was not simply related to taking an eligibility examination, but also involved the dignity and professional standing of teachers who have spent years educating students.
“For us, the test is not the main issue. It is about the honour of teachers. A teacher who prepares millions of children for examinations can certainly take a test, but the question is one of dignity,” Itoo said.
She said the government intends to place the matter before the Assembly once its session begins and seek the support of legislators.
“I will bring a resolution in the Assembly. We will try to get it passed with majority support so that teachers who are under stress can come out of it and concentrate on teaching children properly,” the minister said.
The issue stems from a Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 29, which held that in-service teachers are required to clear the TET. The court has allowed such teachers time until August 31, 2028, to qualify the examination and remain in service.
The ruling has led to apprehension among a section of serving teachers in Jammu and Kashmir, who have been demanding an exemption or other relief from the TET requirement.
The matter has also come up in other states. Last week, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling upon the Union government to provide a permanent exemption from TET for government school teachers appointed before August 23, 2010. (Agencies)
