Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday clarified that no fresh government order has been issued regarding the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) in Jammu and Kashmir and said there is no immediate requirement to enforce it in the Union Territory.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Itoo 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, Itoo 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.
Referring to reports circulating on social media, Itoo said confusion was being created regarding an order, but reiterated that no such order has been issued by the government for immediate implementation in Jammu and Kashmir.
She added that whenever the directive is uniformly enforced across India, J&K will take a considered call, but there is no immediate move to implement it. (KNC)
