Mandatory TET for teachers triggers applause, anxiety in J&K

By: Sheikh Zuhaib  – Ziraat Times 

Srinagar, Feb 25: The decision to make the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for most in-service teachers in Jammu & Kashmir has triggered mixed reactions across Kashmir and Jammu regions, with educators, parents, students and civil society voices mostly supporting the move, even as a section of teachers and private schools remain divided over its likely impact on quality and job security.

The Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has advised the School Education Department (SED) that in-service teachers who have more than five years of service left must qualify the TET within two years. Failure to do so could lead to compulsory retirement or exit from service, with payment of admissible terminal benefits.

However, teachers with less than five years of service remaining as of date have been granted exemption from qualifying the TET for continuation in service until superannuation. The exemption does not apply to promotions. “If any such teacher having less than five years’ service left aspires for promotion, he/she will not be considered eligible without having qualified the TET,” the advisory states.

The directive follows compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of India, which invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to carve out limited relief for teachers nearing retirement.

What is TET?

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is a mandatory qualification introduced under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act) to ensure minimum standards for teacher recruitment and retention. It assesses subject knowledge as well as pedagogical competence.

TET focuses on:

• Child psychology and development

• Teaching-learning processes

• Classroom management

• Inclusive education practices

• Subject-specific knowledge

• Understanding of modern pedagogy and assessment techniques

Officials say the aim is to align teaching standards with guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), with contextual modifications for J&K.

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), through the State School Standards Authority (SSSA), has been designated as the nodal agency to operationalise the TET framework in the Union Territory.

Mandatory across sectors

The advisory clarifies that TET qualification is mandatory for teachers in both government and private schools, including registered institutions. The requirement applies retrospectively from the date of TET’s introduction in 2010, except for those with less than five years of service left.

How stakeholders across J&K are reacting

The move has drawn varied reactions from different sections of society.

Parents mostly welcome quality push

Shabnam Bano, a parent from Srinagar, said the reform was long overdue.

“We want our children to compete nationally. If TET ensures teachers understand modern pedagogy and child psychology, it is a positive step.”

Ramesh Kumar, a government employee in Jammu, echoed similar views:

“Education standards must improve. Many students struggle with basics. If testing teachers improves accountability, it should be supported.”

Students eyeing job market stress modern relevance

University students preparing to enter the job market linked the debate to larger concerns about outdated curricula.

Aqib Ahmad, a final-year engineering student from Baramulla, said:

“The real issue is whether teaching methods are aligned with the AI revolution. Many of us feel school education did not prepare us for emerging technologies.”

Simranjeet Kaur, a postgraduate commerce student in Jammu, added:

“TET should not just test theory. It must assess whether teachers can prepare students for digital skills, entrepreneurship and global competition.”

Activists raise AI-era concerns

Social activist Farah Qadri said the reform must go beyond examination compliance.

“We are entering an era of artificial intelligence and automation. Our curriculum and classroom practices are still rooted in rote learning. TET should be part of a broader overhaul.”

Rajinder Singh, an educator from the  Chenab Valley, warned against superficial reform.

“If we only test teachers without upgrading curriculum and training infrastructure, we risk creating anxiety without systemic change.”

Teachers express anxiety

Many teachers, particularly senior educators, voiced concern over job security.

Ghulam Nabi, a teacher from Pirpanjal region, with over 20 years of service, said:

“We are not against quality checks. But many of us were trained decades ago under a different academic framework. Sudden mandatory testing creates uncertainty.”

Sunita Sharma, a government school teacher in Kathua, said:

“Instead of threatening retirement, the government should first provide structured training and capacity-building support.”

Private school owners seek clarity

Private school stakeholders also expressed concern about implementation challenges.

Imtiyaz Ahmad, who works at a private school in Anantnag, said:

“We support quality benchmarks, but clarity is needed on timelines and support systems. Smaller schools may struggle if experienced teachers are forced out.”

Harpreet Singh, a school administrator in Jammu, added:

“The transition must be smooth. Sudden disruptions could affect students mid-session.”

Meanwhile, the School Education Department has sought a comprehensive action plan from JKBOSE detailing timelines and preparatory status, as Jammu & Kashmir prepares to implement one of its most significant teacher qualification reforms in recent years.

For now, the debate reflects a broader tension between raising professional standards and safeguarding experienced educators — a question that many say will define the future of schooling in Jammu & Kashmir.

“It may be tough for many teachers but we should not assume that a big number of teachers would not be bale to qualify TET. If our children have to compete and survive in a rapidly changing world, we must embrace such hard initiatives. There is no other option”, sums up Sameena Mir, a parent in Srinagar.