Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: The Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF), affiliated with the All India Secondary Teachers Federation (AISTF) and Education International, convened a meeting under the leadership of its Union Territory President, Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh, to deliberate on the implications of the recently issued directions regarding the six-month certificate (Bridge) course for in-service teachers in Jammu & Kashmir.
JKTF expressed deep concern over the directives issued by the School Education Department and SCERT, mandating certain teachers-appointed between 28 June 2018 and 11 August 2023 and possessing B Ed qualifications-to undergo the said Bridge Course. The Forum underscored that the directive has generated confusion, administrative uncertainty, and legitimate apprehensions among thousands of serving teachers across the Union Territory.
Addressing the media, the UT President explained that the concerned teachers were appointed strictly in accordance with the statutory recruitment rules prevailing at the time of appointment through duly constituted, transparent processes of the JKSSRB and the erstwhile Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) Scheme. He emphasized that these teachers hold valid B Ed degrees from NCTE-recognized institutions, and their service appointments were lawful, bona fide, and fully compliant with the applicable norms.
Speaking on the occasion, UT General Secretary Mir Bashir Ahmed clarified that Jammu & Kashmir maintains a unified teaching service without statutory segregation into PRT, TGT, or PGT cadres and therefore, the selective reference to “Primary Teachers” by administrative authorities lacks any legal foundation and renders the directives vague, arbitrary, and administratively impractical, he added.
UT Senior Vice President Jamiat Ali Aga, Vice President Sandeep Kumar Bhat and Secretary Raman Kumar Sharma, Media Secretary Vikee Pandita also spoke on the occasion.
While reiterating its respect for NIOS as a premier national institution, JKTF appealed for an immediate, written, categorical clarification from the Regional Director, NIOS, to restore certainty, uphold the legitimate service rights of teachers, and ensure academic and administrative stability in the education system of Jammu & Kashmir.
Later, the leadership of JKTF called upon MLA Sajjad Shaheen and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking his timely intervention and support to resolve the matter expeditiously.
The meeting registered the presence of teachers from all districts of Jammu Province.
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