Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 7: The Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) today convened a virtual meeting of delegates, office bearers, and representatives from all districts of the Union Territory to deliberate upon the serious concerns arising out of the recent Supreme Court judgment dated 30.04.2026 in the matter UT of J&K vs. Saba Wani & Others concerning the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) issue.
During the detailed deliberations, participants expressed grave concern and strong resentment over the possible retrospective implementation of TET norms upon teachers who were appointed years before the enforcement of such provisions in Jammu & Kashmir. The Forum observed that the judgment has created widespread uncertainty, anxiety, and mental stress among thousands of in-service teachers regarding their job security, continuity of service, seniority, and future career progression.
Addressing the meeting, JKTF UT President, Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh asserted that any retrospective application of TET conditions would amount to a serious injustice against the teaching fraternity. He emphasized that teachers who were appointed under the rules and norms prevailing at the time of their appointments cannot be subjected to new eligibility conditions after rendering nearly two decades of dedicated service.
The Forum unanimously demanded immediate job protection for all affected teachers and urged the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to file a strong review petition before the Supreme Court at the earliest to safeguard the legitimate rights and service interests of teachers. The Forum hoped that the Government would take swift and concrete steps in the larger interest of the teaching community.
JKTF leadership further appealed to the Union Education Minister and the Chairman National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to consider necessary amendments so that the requirement of TET is made applicable prospectively for future recruitments only and not retrospectively upon already appointed teachers.
The Forum maintained that while quality education and professional standards are important, reforms must be implemented in a fair, reasonable, and legally sustainable manner without jeopardizing the livelihood of serving teachers.
JKTF UT Vice President, Sandeep Kumar Bhat; Provincial President, Gulshan Sharma and Provincial President (Female Wing), Ganai Nazia Farooq also addressed the meet.
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