The Jammu and Kashmir government clarified that there has been no recent directive regarding the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) and dismissed rumors about premature retirement for teachers failing the test. Education Minister Sakina Itoo stated that no new government order has been issued concerning the TET, and there are no immediate plans to enforce it in J&K. She mentioned that while the Supreme Court had mandated TET qualification for teachers nationwide, the state government is evaluating its implementation in other regions before taking action.
Minister Itoo explained that the government is currently studying the examination patterns, mechanisms, and practical implications in other states and union territories before making any decisions. She highlighted that the concept of such eligibility tests was previously proposed during the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure. However, she emphasized the need for cautious implementation, especially considering the significant contributions made by teachers in J&K over 25 to 35 years of service.
Stressing the importance of thoughtful decision-making, Minister Itoo noted that any impact on long-serving teachers should be carefully assessed in light of consequences and practical considerations. She pointed out that the Supreme Court has allowed a two-year timeframe for compliance and clarified that immediate enforcement is not urgent in J&K. The Minister stated that if the TET rule is universally applied in the country with further Supreme Court directives, the state will review the matter accordingly, but currently, there are no immediate plans for enforcement.
Addressing social media speculations, Minister Itoo dispelled confusion surrounding an alleged order and reiterated that no such directive has been issued by the government for immediate implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. She affirmed that once the directive is uniformly enforced nationwide, J&K will make a decision on the matter.
