Examiner Bureau | Srinagar, Feb 25:
Jammu and Kashmir will be the last region in the country to implement the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) guidelines, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said on Wednesday, a day after the School Education Department issued a formal order enforcing the new norms.
Seeking to allay apprehensions among teaching staff, the Minister acknowledged that many educators in the Union Territory have devoted decades to nurturing students and strengthening the education system. She assured that their concerns would be given due consideration during the implementation process.
The move follows an official directive by the School Education Department designating the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education as the nodal agency responsible for conducting the Teacher Eligibility Test across the region.
Officials said the introduction of TET guidelines aims to align Jammu and Kashmir’s recruitment and qualification standards with national benchmarks, ensuring improved quality and uniformity in teacher appointments.
However, the Minister emphasized that the transition would be handled sensitively, keeping in mind the service record and experience of existing teachers. “We understand the contribution of our educators, and their interests will be safeguarded,” she indicated.
The development marks a significant policy shift in the education sector of Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities expected to release further procedural details in the coming weeks.
