Vocational Teachers announce indefinite strike from March 31

Jammu, Mar 20: Vocational Teachers (VTs) working under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) in Jammu and Kashmir have announced an indefinite strike beginning March 31, citing a decade of unfulfilled government promises regarding their regularisation and fair treatment.

A statement said that the Jammu and Kashmir Vocational Teachers Welfare Association (JKVTWA) stated that despite postponing earlier protests based on government commitments, the recent budget session revealed a lack of seriousness in addressing their demands.

"For the past ten years, vocational teachers have been exploited under private companies managing the NSQF scheme," a JKVTWA spokesperson said. "While states like Haryana, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, and Assam have removed these exploitative companies, J&K continues to function under their control."

According to the association, this situation has resulted in low wages, job insecurity, and absence of social benefits, pushing many teachers into financial hardship. The JKVTWA has demanded the immediate removal of these private firms from J&K's education system.

The teachers highlighted their significant contributions to education, pointing to over 95% pass rates in board exams despite challenging conditions, including teacher-student ratios exceeding 1:100.

"We are the ones who build the future of the youth – but where is our future? How long will we continue to suffer under an unjust system that refuses to recognize our hard work?" questioned a vocational teacher participating in the protest announcement.

The JKVTWA has called for public support and demanded government intervention for direct absorption into the education department with proper job security and dignified salaries.