SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former education minister Naeem Akhtar on Thursday raised serious concerns about the worsening plight of Vocational Trainers (VTs) in Jammu and Kashmir. He called on the government to address their grievances by implementing a comprehensive policy for their regularisation and fair treatment.
Naeem Akhtar noted that the VTs, who have been working under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) for the past decade, have faced prolonged neglect. Despite repeated promises from the government, no tangible measures have been introduced to resolve their issues, forcing the trainers to resort to public protests.
“Vocational Trainers are crucial in providing skill-based education to the youth, helping tackle unemployment in the region. Their efforts have consistently yielded exceptional results, with students achieving a 95 per cent success rate in board exams for classes 9 through 12,” Akhtar said. He highlighted that these achievements come despite challenging conditions, including an overburdened teacher-student ratio exceeding 1:100.
Despite their contributions, Akhtar lamented that VTs continue to earn meagre salaries that barely meet basic needs, leaving many families in financial distress. He also pointed out the lack of job security and compensation for families of trainers who have passed away, describing the situation as a “stark neglect” of their welfare.
Akhtar urged the government to take immediate action, recognising the VTs’ contributions and ensuring their financial and professional stability. “It is time to prioritise their rights and give them the respect and support they deserve,” he said.
