VTs seek direct recruitment through Samagra Shiksha, oppose hiring through private firms
Srinagar, Nov 22: The Vocational Trainers (VTs) working in government schools across Jammu and Kashmir sought their direct hiring in the School Education Department (SED), urging the government to do away with the involvement of third-party private firms.
The VTs said that the proposed 2000 posts under the Skill Education programme must be recruited directly by Samagra Shiksha J&K, rather than through involving private companies known as Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) in the recruitment process.
The VTs said that direct recruitment was both feasible and necessary to end the long-standing issues faced by thousands of vocational trainers working in schools under Samagra Shiksha.
According to the trainers, private VTPs have repeatedly failed to meet core responsibilities, including student placements, internships, and on-the-job training.
“Our salaries are frequently delayed for months, causing severe financial and mental distress to us,” they alleged.
They said that despite poor performance, VTPs continue to receive substantial management fees from the SED through Samagra Shiksha.
“If the upcoming 2000 posts are again allotted to private companies, VTPs are expected to earn nearly Rs 50 lakh per month, which is about Rs 6 crore annually as management charges,” they said.
The VTs said that public money worth crores could be instead invested in upgrading vocational laboratories, improving training quality, and strengthening skill development infrastructure in schools.
“Direct recruitment by Samagra Shiksha would bring transparency, accountability, and stability to the system. It will also ensure offering fair employment opportunities to qualified youth in J&K,” they said.
They said Samagra Shiksha has previously clarified that direct engagement was possible under existing guidelines, but was not executed to date.
“We urge the administration to advertise the new posts as direct contractual engagements under Samagra Shiksha. It would ensure justice for trainers, better learning outcomes for students, and more responsible use of public funds,” they said.
