No Immediate Enforcement of TET in J&K, Govt Yet to Issue Implementation Order: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar: Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said that there is no immediate enforcement of the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) requirement in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the government has not issued any order mandating its implementation at this stage.

The Minister’s remarks came a day after the School Education Department issued an order, designating the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) as the nodal agencies for conducting the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) in the Union Territory.

The order, issued by the Secretary, School Education Department, outlined steps for operationalising the TET framework in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India. It detailed a roadmap including preparation of an examination schedule, coordination with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), identification of examination centres, security arrangements and alignment of syllabus with National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) guidelines.

As per the order, in-service teachers with more than five years of remaining service would be required to qualify TET within two years or face compulsory retirement. Teachers nearing superannuation were exempted from qualifying the exam for continuation in service, though not for promotional benefits.

However, speaking to reporters, Itoo said the government would first study how the Supreme Court directions are being implemented in other states and Union Territories before taking a final call in J&K.

She said that while the apex court had directed that teachers across states and UTs must qualify TET, it had also provided a two-year window. “There is no immediate requirement to enforce it in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

The Minister further said that many teachers in the Union Territory have rendered 25 to 35 years of service and have contributed significantly to society by educating generations of professionals. “Implementing such a decision without careful assessment, she said, would not be appropriate.”