Teachers protest outside CM’s residence after last-minute exclusion from Best Teacher Award list

Srinagar, Sept 5, KNT: A group of teachers staged a protest in Srinagar on Friday against what they described as humiliation at the hands of the School Education Department after their names were dropped from the Best Teacher Award list at the last moment.

Dozens of aggrieved teachers from different districts assembled outside the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah early in the morning and raised slogans against the authorities. They accused the Education Department of disrespect and administrative highhandedness by arbitrarily altering the list of awardees a day before Teachers’ Day celebrations.

The protesting teachers said that ten days ago, the department had formally announced that four teachers from each district would be felicitated. The categories included one male, one female, one language teacher, and one teacher for Children With Special Needs. They added that names were finalized and made public, prompting families and communities to celebrate the recognition.

“Till September 4, our names figured in the official list. Suddenly, without citing any reason, the department reduced the number of awardees by half. We feel insulted. This is not about the prize but about our dignity,” said one of the protesting teachers.

Several teachers who had left their homes early in the morning to attend the felicitation ceremony at SKICC Srinagar instead diverted to the CM’s residence to express their anger. They demanded accountability from the department for what they termed as an act of disregard.

Meanwhile, the President of All Teachers Association Jammu and Kashmir, Mrignayani Slathia, wrote to the Director School Education Jammu questioning the credibility of the selection process.

In her letter, she alleged that several awardees had spent most of their careers on administrative postings rather than in classrooms. “The Best Teacher Award is meant to recognize classroom excellence, but many of the nominees lack evidence of classroom innovation, preparation of teaching materials, or consistent lesson planning,” the letter stated.

The association urged authorities to review the selection process and ensure that only genuine classroom educators with documented contributions are considered in the future.

Teachers said they would continue to press for transparency and fairness in the recognition process, warning that such arbitrary actions erode the morale of committed educators. [KNT]