10+2 lecturers rue stagnation due to absence of promotional hierarchy

Srinagar, Mar 14: The 10 2 lecturers on Friday complained of stagnation citing lack of well defined promotion policy in the department.

A group of lecturers said the designation of senior lecturer was not a promotion but merely an incentive in the form of additional increments. "Unlike other departments where structured promotions ensure career progression, 2 lecturers continue to face stagnation due to the absence of a well-defined promotional hierarchy," the lecturers said.

The lecturers were referring to the recent statement of the education minister that the mode of promotion for 10 2 lecturers was senior lecturer followed by Principal and Chief Education Officer (CEO). "This is the normal procedure of the promotion for the lecturers appointed through the Public Service Commission," the lecturers said.

They, however, said the cadre strength of 10 2 lecturers was almost 10000 and 50 percent quota filled through Departmental promotion quota, having provisions of TBP and functional promotion "There are only 700 vacancies of the principals for 10000 cadre strength of the entire lecturers both promoted as well as direct recruits," the lecturers said.

They said it takes almost 10 years to get placed as senior lecturers and in case of any vacancy of the Principal it takes up to 25 years to get into the principal grade. "But not all the lecturers are placed as principal. Recently in a 2008 batch about 102 people have been placed as principals in 2025 and looking at the cadre strength there are meager chances of any promotion for the rest of the 2008 batch and 2010 batch up to the next 15 years," the lecturers said.

They said that Ladakh counterparts are however getting the benefit of MACP from 2024 onwards.

"This is a fit and genuine case of chronic stagnation and needs immediate redressal on part of the government. We request the education minister to kindly resolve the issue once for all," the lecturers said. The lecturers demanded that the administration may be directed to do the necessary formalities and approve the assured career progression in favour of 10 2 directly recruited lecturers.

Earlier, the education minister Sakina Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that the 10 2 Lecturers appointed directly through Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) do not face career stagnation as they are elevated as Senior Lecturers with two advance increments.

"Thereafter, further promoted to the next higher level of Principals and equivalent(s) in the pay Level-10A (56600-179800), under rules. Subsequently, the eligible Principals are considered and promoted to the level of Chief Education Officer(s)/equivalent(s) in accordance with the rules," the education minister in a written reply informed the House.