The Exploitation of Intellect

Education plays a vital role in shaping the future of our youth. However, a disturbing trend has emerged within the higher education system that undermines the very foundation of intellectual growth in the region. The system of hiring contractual assistant professors, seemingly a temporary solution to staffing needs, has turned into a pervasive practice that is exploiting the intellect of scholars and demotivating students from pursuing higher education. This issue not only affects the educators but also sends a disheartening message to the youth, raising serious concerns about the future of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir.

In recent years, the higher education department in Jammu and Kashmir has increasingly relied on hiring assistant professors on a contractual basis. While this may have been introduced as a stopgap measure to address immediate faculty shortage, it has evolved into a long-term practice with significant repercussions.

Despite holding advanced degrees like SET, NET, JRF, Ph.D, Postdoc, and contributing to the academic environment, contractual faculty are subjected to precarious working conditions that harm their potential. These scholars, many of whom have spent years pursuing higher education and research, find themselves in a cycle of temporary employment with no job security,

inadequate salaries, and limited benefits. The nature of their employment means that they are often overworked, underpaid, and denied the stability that comes with permanent positions. This not only demoralizes the educators but also stifles their ability to contribute meaningfully to the academic commitment.

The exploitation of scholars through temporary employment has a ripple effect on the intellectual growth of the region. When educators are overburdened and underappreciated, it directly affects the quality of education they can provide.

Contractual assistant professors, who are constantly worried about their job security and financial stability, are less likely to engage in innovative research, publish academic papers, or mentor students effectively. The result is a compromised academic environment where the focus shifts from nurturing intellectual curiosity to merely meeting the minimum requirements.

Moreover, the lack of permanent faculty positions creates a void in academic leadership. Permanent faculty members often take on roles that go beyond teaching, including curriculum development, research supervision, and academic advising. The absence of such leadership due to the reliance on contractual staff weakens the overall academic structure, leaving students without the guidance and mentorship they need to thrive. The repercussions of this system extend beyond the faculty to the students,

who are the ultimate stakeholders in the education system. Students in Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly disillusioned with the prospects of pursuing higher education. When they see their mentors struggling with job insecurity and inadequate compensation, it sends a clear message that higher education is not a viable path to a stable and fulfilling career. This demotivation is particularly concerning in Jammu and Kashmir where education is seen as a means of social mobility and empowerment.

If students begin to perceive that their efforts in pursuing advanced degrees will not lead to meaningful employment or intellectual fulfilment, they may opt out of higher education altogether. This could lead to a decline in the number of students enrolling in postgraduate and doctoral programs, which would have long-term negative effects on the intellectual and socio-economic development of the region.

There is an urgent need to streamline the contractual assistant professors by aligning their salaries with the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms, a step recently implemented in the Union Territory of Ladakh. These educators play a crucial role in the academic ecosystem. Ensuring that their salaries are consistent with UGC standards is not just a matter of fairness but also essential for maintaining the quality of education in J&K. Additionally, there is a pressing need for timely recruitment processes to address faculty shortages and prevent disruptions in academic programs. Furthermore, the recruitment of permanent faculty would send a signal that higher education is a worthy pursuit.

It would restore confidence in the education system and motivate students to aspire to academic excellence. With permanent faculty in place, higher education institutions can offer better academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities that enhance the overall student experience.  Last but not the least, experience gained by these contractual assistant professors should also be recognized when they apply for higher positions, such as associate professorships, in accordance with UGC recommendations.

This would not only validate their contributions but also create a more motivated and stable workforce, ultimately benefiting the educational institutions and the students they serve. Implementing these measures would bring much-needed stability to the academic environment in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that it remains competitive and capable of nurturing future generations.

The future of Jammu and Kashmir depends on the strength of its education system. It is time to end the exploitation of intellect and invest in the permanent academic infrastructure that will empower the next generation of scholars and leaders.

By: Qurat Ul Ain, Doctoral Student from University of Kashmir.