Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Teachers’ Forum (JKTF), led by UT President Sheikh Mohammad Ashraf and Chairman Mehraj-ul-Din Zargar, today met the Education Minister and submitted a comprehensive memorandum.
During the meeting, the delegation stressed the urgent need for judicious distribution of teaching manpower, especially in rural and far-flung areas, strictly following the principle of “One Teacher per Classroom” and maintaining the prescribed Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) as per reports tabled in Parliament. The Forum also demanded 100 percent distribution of textbooks before the commencement of every academic session across J&K.
Major demands raised included the early appointment of the Chairman, Board of School Education (BOSE), rotation of District and Zonal Cultural Coordinators to curb stagnation and favouritism, especially in Kashmir province, and posting of Masters in all Middle Schools through immediate promotions. The delegation further urged the Government to fill all vacant posts of CEOs, ZEOs, Principals, and Headmasters, and to expedite long-pending confirmation cases.
Serious concern was expressed over the absence of a structured transfer policy for Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers, Annual transfer Drive (ATD) of Jammu Province especially Udhampur and Jammu District, delays in career progression and promotions, and the prolonged pendency of one-time exemption files pertaining to degrees acquired from UGC-recognized universities.
The memorandum also highlighted the need to streamline the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, ensure transparent implementation of the ATD-particularly in hard zones, implement an E-Filing system, and ensure immediate clearance of pending GP Fund and other bills lying in treasuries.
Further demands included regular updating of seniority lists, enhancement of honorarium for MDM cooks, approval of Winter Tutorial leave salary benefits (2019-20 and 2020-21), restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and upgradation of school infrastructure, including smart classrooms and computer laboratories.
The Forum also proposed the establishment of Residential Model High Schools at the zonal level and Residential Model Higher Secondary Schools at the district level, and strongly advocated for a Special Status Bill for Teachers.
The Education Minister gave a positive assurance to the delegation and stated that all issues raised would be examined sympathetically and appropriate action would be taken.
Members of the delegation included Mir Bashir Ahmed, Sanjeet Sharma, Abdul Quyoom, G R Choudhary, Haroon Rashid, Hilal Ahmed and Mohammad Rafiq Malik.
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