Srinagar, Sep 5: Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday paid rich tributes to teachers, terming their role in shaping a child’s life as “immense” and “unparalleled”, while announcing that the government will bring a resolution in the Assembly to resolve the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) issue.
“Whatever is said for teachers is very less because their importance is the greatest. This day holds more significance than we celebrate,” minister Itoo told reporters on the sidelines of a Teachers’ Day function at SKICC here.
Describing the teacher-student bond, she said “Parents leave their child at school. After that, to hold his finger and walk, to teach him everything—whether education or other aspects of life—if someone does that, he is our teacher.”
The minister announced that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent literacy, placing the Union Territory at the 10th position in the national ranking.
“Earlier, we had declared 14 districts. Today, this total 100 per cent has been declared,” she said.
Responding to concerns over the mandatory TET for in-service teachers, Minister Itoo said the issue was a matter of “teacher’s dignity” and assured that the government would move a resolution in the upcoming Assembly session.
“We have already approached the honourable court. When a teacher is mentally disturbed, how can he educate the child? A teacher who prepares lakhs of children for exams cannot be put in depression,” she said.
“I will bring a resolution and pass it with majority so that teachers can come out of it and educate children in the right way,” she added.
On the ongoing strike by medical interns demanding a stipend hike, the minister urged them to trust the government and return to work, calling them “our children, not strangers.”
“Their demands are genuine. We are still in talks. The doors are open for them. The file is already under process with the Finance Department,” she said.
Asserting that the government was committed to their welfare, Minister Itoo said: “I am not one of those who say J&K is a place where bullets are made, beatings are given or legs are broken. I say this because the Chief Minister is also concerned. We will fulfil their genuine demands.”
She appealed to the interns to resume duty, stressing that treatment of patients was of paramount importance.
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