Cites 2 yrs window by SC; decision later
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Feb 25: Minister for School Education Sakeena Itoo today said that the recent order issued by the School Education Department (SED) regarding the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) will not be implemented in J&K at present.
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Speaking to reporters, Itoo said the Supreme Court of India has granted States and Union Territories two years’ time to conduct the TET and that J&K will take a call only after other regions implement it.
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“There is a discussion on this matter again and there is an order that has been issued but it will not be implemented as of now. The Supreme Court has given two years’ time in this regard. When it is implemented across India, then it will be implemented in J&K,” she said.
The Minister said that a few months ago, the apex court directed that teachers in all States and UTs must qualify the TET.
However, she said, when the matter reached J&K, the Government decided to wait and observe how other States and UTs implement the directive and the pattern they adopt for conducting the examination. “When the matter was examined at that time, it did not seem appropriate.”
Taking a dig at the PDP over its earlier policies, Itoo said, “It is one of late Mufti Sayeed’s dreams; it was Naeem Akhtar who started taking the exam of the Rehbar-e-Taleem (RET), and today we feel that the same practice is being carried forward.”
She said many teachers have served for nearly 30 years and have produced doctors, IAS officers, engineers and professors. “They have taught students who are now professionals, and we are telling those teachers to sit for this test,” she said.
“At that time, the Government opined that we cannot do it (hold TET) immediately. We will wait and see its effects and how other States conduct it. There is no immediate need for it,” she added.
Reiterating the Government’s stand, Itoo said J&K will take a final call only after the test is implemented across the country or if there is any further direction from the Supreme Court.
“If there is any move forward by the Supreme Court, we will see it. There is no need for immediate implementation,” she said.
Earlier, the SED had designated the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE)/State School Standards Authority (SSSA) as the nodal agency to conduct the TET in the Union Territory in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.
As per the order, the Secretary, JKBOSE/SSSA has been designated as the Nodal Agency for conducting the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) for the Union Territory of J&K with immediate effect.
The order stated that JKBOSE/SSSA shall take immediate necessary steps for operationalisation of the TET examination framework in accordance with the action plan formulated in the meeting dated October 30, 2025.
It also called for developing and notifying a detailed schedule for conduct of TET and coordinating with NIC, School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Home Department and other concerned authorities for logistical, technical and security arrangements.
It also ordered ensuring alignment of syllabus and examination standards with the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education, with suitable contextual modifications.
The Secretary, JKBOSE/SSSA has also been directed to furnish a comprehensive action plan, including timelines and preparatory status, to the School Education Department at the earliest.
The apex court had held that provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act apply to all schools except minority institutions and directed that in-service teachers must qualify TET to continue in service, with limited exemptions.
Meanwhile, Shah Fayaz, President of the J&K Teachers’ Association, said he had spoken to the Minister for School Education regarding the TET order and the chaos and confusion among teachers, which could influence the academic calendar.
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