Vocational trainers rue delay in release of salary

Srinagar, July 28: The vocational trainers working in the School Education Department (SED) have complained that their monthly salaries have been delayed for the past nine years, leaving them in a state of despair.

The vocational trainers, who have been essential in providing skill-based training to students, said that they have been subjected to persistent neglect and ill treatment by the authorities.

Earlier, the vocational trainers submitted a formal representation to the J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha seeking his intervention in the matter. Following this, the office of the J&K Lieutenant Governor, issued a communication to the Administrative Secretary SED, urging necessary action in accordance with set norms.

"I am directed to forward you the representation of the vocational trainers to streamline the vocational education and future of vocational trainers. You are requested to take necessary action in the matter, under norms," reads a communication signed by under secretary Mayank Sharma.

The vocational trainers however expressed their frustration saying that despite numerous attempts to engage with the authorities, their concerns remain unaddressed.

"Despite our earnest attempts to engage with the authorities, our concerns remain unaddressed. We recently reached out via email to all Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) employed by JK Samagra Shiksha, seeking resolution, but our appeals have been ignored," President Jammu & Kashmir Vocational Trainers Welfare Association (JKVTWA) Lone Jeelani said.

He said the companies, "so-called our employers" for the past nine years, have neglected their welfare and are treating them merely as profit-generating entities.

"If they truly cared about our well-being, they would have advocated for us with the J&K government, but they have not," he said.

The vocational trainers further criticized the SED for "disregarding" the letter received from the office of J&K LG.

"The directive from the LG Office issued on June 30 instructed the Secretary of SED to address our issues, yet our concerns were ignored once more," Jeelani said.

He said the ongoing neglect compels them to protest against inequality, pay disparity, and career stagnation.

He said their demands include fair compensation and job security, defined job roles with security, recognition and opportunities for professional growth, and enhanced support for mental health and well-being.

"Our vocational trainers hold professional degrees like PhD, MBA, MCA, B.Tech, and M.Tech, and have been providing skill-based training to students in classes 9th to 12th for the past nine years. We have consistently achieved an average of 95 percent results across 14 trades during this period," Jeelani said.

He said that vocational trainers have worked in challenging areas like Gurez and Ladakh without any benefits and were expecting that the government would fulfill its promises for better conditions.

"The enrolment of students in vocational subjects has soared. A single vocational trainer is providing skill-based training to over 150 students in a single school," Jeelani said.

He claimed that many of their colleagues lost their lives due to illness and accidents, with their families left unsupported and without benefits.

The trainers have also raised serious concerns about corruption and misuse of education funds.

"The companies involved are responsible for hiring and paying salaries to vocational trainers, yet salaries have been consistently delayed for nine years," he said.

The vocational trainers have threatened to escalate their protests if their demands are not met. "Earlier, the J&K Lieutenant Governor announced in Awaam Ki Awaaz that a job policy would be framed for vocational trainers and orders were issued to concerned authorities, but nothing has happened on ground," he said.

He said that a four-member committee was established by the Principal Secretary to address the issues of vocational trainers, yet no action has been taken.

"We will take to the streets in the coming days if our demands remain unresolved," Jeelani said.