Zafar Aafaq
SRINAGAR
The contractual teachers working in different public colleges across Kashmir are up in arms against the government for meting out ill treatment towards them.
The engagement of contractual teacher’s policy came into existence in 1997.
The teachers working as contractual are still paid “meagre” remuneration as compared to the permanent college teachers despite possessing degrees doctorate degrees, fellowships, having qualified required eligibility tests and “delivering same levels of services in the class rooms.”
Their contribution has been acknowledged by the government “only in papers”; however, the victimized teachers claim that they are facing discrimination and lack of job security.
“Our services to the higher education have been neglected and career prospects damaged by higher authorities in the government,” said a contractual teacher working in Islamia College here.
The teachers said the result of their demands is just an action from government restricted to assurances and promises.
The government has kept the college contractual teachers out of the purview of J&K Services (Special Provisions) Act 2010 which provides the regularization of services of ad hoc, contractual employees after completion of seven years of service in government.
“The higher authorities have termed our demands genuine but nothing has been done with regard to our regularization,” a teacher from Baramulla degree college said. “We are a major force in running the colleges across Kashmir.”
The college contractual teachers are annoyed at the nomenclature used for them and their work. In official language, the services of contractual teachers are referred to as “academic arrangement” which they think is “undermining their services”.
The teachers are now planning to go on an indefinite strike if the government does not take necessary action to frame a new policy or bring necessary amendments to the existing policy.
