Jammu, February 25 – The Jammu and Kashmir government stated on Wednesday that no new orders have been issued regarding the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), and dismissed reports claiming that teachers failing the TET would be retired prematurely.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo said that no new government order has been issued regarding the TET, and that there is no immediate plan to implement it in J&K.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Itoo stated that although the Supreme Court had previously directed that teachers across states and union territories must qualify for the TET, the J&K government is carefully examining how the directive is being implemented elsewhere before taking any action.
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 previously been envisioned during the tenure of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
However, Itoo said that 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 significantly contributed to society.
She maintained that any decision impacting such teachers must be taken after careful consideration of the consequences and ground realities. The minister further said 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 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 that 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 decide on the issue.
