The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed by voice vote a Resolution moved by Minister for School Education, Sakeena Itoo, seeking exemption of teachers appointed before October 31, 2019 from appearing in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
The Resolution was passed after a two-day debate during which members deliberated upon various aspects of the issue and highlighted the concerns of teachers appointed prior to the cut-off date.
The Resolution states: “This House unanimously urges the Union Government to make necessary statutory amendment to Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to exempt all teachers appointed before October 31, 2019 from appearing in the TET.”
It further urges the Union Government to take all necessary legal steps and issue the requisite notification through the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) for granting exemption from the TET requirement.
Sakeena Itoo thanked all the legislators for expressing their concerns and for coming together to unanimously support the Resolution. She said that the Resolution was being moved in the House with the intention of addressing the concerns of teachers who have been serving the education sector for years.
She said that the issue should not be viewed merely from the perspective of whether teachers can pass another examination, as many of them have already appeared in and cleared various tests during their careers. “These teachers have made immense sacrifices, devoted their time and energy and worked tirelessly to prepare our students for various professions, including doctors and engineers, while helping secure their future. The credit for their achievements goes to their teachers,” she said.
The Minister emphasised that the contribution and years of service of these teachers need to be duly recognised while considering the matter.
On the first day of the debate, legislators Balwant Singh Mankotia, Ranbir Singh Pathania, Waheed Ur Rehman Para and Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh participated in the discussion and expressed their views on various aspects of the Resolution.
The debate continued today, with legislators Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) also participating in the discussion and putting forth their views on the issue.
Following the detailed two-day discussion, the House passed the Resolution by voice vote.