Farooq Inqlabi Strongly Condemns Move on Compulsory Retirement of J&K Teachers Over TET, Demands Focus on Infrastructure and Recruitment

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SRINAGAR FEBRUARY 25:-Senior leader of Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi has strongly condemned the reported move to impose compulsory retirement on teachers who have not cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), terming it an “insult to the teaching fraternity and a harsh step that undermines their dignity and years of service.”

In a statement issued to the media, Inqlabi said that teachers are the backbone of society and nation-building, and such decisions only demoralize those who have dedicated their lives to educating future generations. “Instead of threatening teachers with compulsory retirement, the government should make proper arrangements for professional training, refresher courses, and capacity-building programs to help them qualify and enhance their skills,” he said.

He further added that many teachers working in remote and far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir have rendered decades of service under challenging circumstances. “Penalizing them at this stage is not only unjust but also insensitive. The government must adopt a supportive approach rather than a punitive one,” Inqlabi remarked.

Highlighting the ground realities of the education sector, Inqlabi said that nearly 70 percent of schools in Jammu and Kashmir are either functioning without proper buildings or are operating in structures that are unsafe and unusable. “The government must first focus on providing proper school buildings, basic infrastructure, electricity, sanitation facilities, and learning resources. Strengthening infrastructure should be the top priority,” he asserted.

He also demanded immediate recruitment drives to fill up vacant posts in schools, stating that many institutions are running without adequate staff. “Schools are staff-less and overburdened. Instead of removing existing teachers, the government should fill all vacant posts to ensure quality education for students,” he said.

The senior PDP leader urged the administration to review the proposed move and initiate constructive dialogue with teachers’ representatives. He emphasized that empowering teachers through training, improving infrastructure, and addressing staff shortages would significantly improve the education system in Jammu and Kashmir.