SRINAGAR — Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said the Jammu and Kashmir government has put on hold the conduct of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), adding that the Union Territory will be the last to implement the Supreme Court order mandating TET for all in-service teachers of primary and upper primary classes, requiring them to qualify within two years to continue in service..
Her clarification came a day after the School Education Department designated the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) as the nodal agency for conducting TET in compliance with the apex court order.
The government has also designated JKBOSE as the State School Standards Authority in the Union Territory.
Addressing reporters in Kulgam, Itoo said the government decided to keep the matter on hold to observe how other states and Union Territories implement the order and what pattern is followed for the examination.
“There was a ruling from the Supreme Court a few months ago regarding TET. When the file came to us, we kept it on hold to see which states and UTs implement it and on what pattern the test will be held,” she said.
Highlighting the long service of teachers, Itoo said many teachers have spent decades shaping students who later became doctors, engineers and IAS officers, and are now being asked to undertake the test.
“So, I stated that we will not implement it immediately. As of now, there is no urgent need to conduct this test. If all other states implement it and there is any further development from the Supreme Court, then we will see,” she added.
Referring to the order issued by the Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Itoo said it will not be implemented.
“I saw the order and discussions on social media. There will be no implementation. The Supreme Court has given two years. Jammu and Kashmir will implement the order if and when it is applied in the rest of the country,” she said. —
