Contractual teachers stage silent protest at GDC Handwara against salary disparity

Kupwara, Apr 7: Contractual teachers working in the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department Monday staged a silent protest at the Government Degree College (GDC) Handwara, demanding an end to disparity in salary and job stability. Scores of these teachers assembled in the college premises, holding placards and voicing concerns over short-term employment contracts and inadequate remuneration.

One of the protesters Dr Ishfaq Ahmad while talking to Greater Kashmir said that the college contractual teachers face most of the brunt due to job insecurity and less remuneration. "We have been demanding salary according to UGC norms, if the selection process is being carried out according to UGC norms then why the department is not adhering to the guidelines with regard to disbursement of our salaries," he said. "If those working in the Union Territory of Ladakh or for that matter in other parts of the country are being rendered Rs 57,000 per month then why are we being paid only Rs 28,000", asked Adil Ahmad, who teaches Sociology at GDC Handwara. “We are only engaged for a few months annually. For the rest of the year, we have no means of income. We appeal to the government to intervene and address our legitimate concerns," he added. The protesters warned that if their demands are not addressed in the coming days, they will be compelled to initiate a hunger strike.

Meanwhile, students at GDC Handwara expressed concern over the impact of the protest on their academic schedule. “Our classes are being disrupted. We request the authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest,” said a student. The contractual teachers appealed to the administration to recognise their contributions to the education sector and take immediate steps toward regularising their services.