Teachers in trouble in J&K colleges – Kashmir Observer

By Dr Younis Ahmad Cheikh

The plight of college professors working in government universities in Jammu and Kashmir is a glaring example of systemic negligence and institutional apathy. Despite being some of the most qualified professionals, with degrees like M.Phil., Ph.D., UGC-NET and JK-SET, these people are relegated to the position of “lecturer in academic organization” . This designation not only undermines their qualifications, but also deprives them of the benefits, dignity and security they rightly deserve. Their situation has now reached a crisis point, and the calls for justice are growing louder every day.

Unfair nomenclature: a tool of exploitation

Across India, academic institutions employ assistant professors as per the norms of the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, in Jammu and Kashmir, these highly qualified educators are rather referred to as “lecturers in academic organization”. This nomenclature is not simply a misnomer; it serves as a tool to deny these faculty members fair compensation.

Currently, these academic training teachers receive a meager salary of ₹28,000 per month, which is in stark contrast to the salaries of their permanent counterparts who are paid in lacs. This glaring disparity not only diminishes their contributions, but also highlights the exploitation entrenched in the system.

Bureaucratic delays: adding insult to injury

The challenges these teachers face are exacerbated by a bureaucratic system riddled with inefficiency. Salaries are often delayed by four to five months, due to protracted processes such as employee verification and confirmation of salaries by higher authorities. Each school year, these educators must undergo a new round of audits, which can take months. Meanwhile, they find themselves without wages and accumulating debt just to make ends meet.

Constant delays have significant repercussions. Many of these educators are the sole breadwinners of their families, and the lack of a timely salary forces them to take out loans or borrow money from friends and family. By the time their salaries are disbursed, most of it is spent on paying off debts, leaving them with little to manage their daily expenses.

Financial Instability: Living on the Edge

The financial difficulties of professors in academic arrangements are numerous. Most of them are posted in districts far from their hometowns, leading to high expenses on rent, travel and food. The ₹28,000 they receive is largely insufficient to cover these costs, let alone allow them to save or invest in their family’s future. For many, financial stress is compounded by the need to support aging parents, provide for their children’s education and meet basic family obligations.

The harsh reality is that these educators are incapable of leading a dignified life. They cannot afford to send their children to good schools, nor to provide adequate medical care to their elderly parents. Social commitments also take a back seat as they struggle to meet even their most basic needs. Many are forced to forgo personal development opportunities, such as academic conferences or further training, due to financial constraints.

Mental and physical assessment

Constant financial stress, coupled with lack of job security, has taken a toll on the mental and physical health of these university faculties. Many report feelings of depression, anxiety and hopelessness as they grapple with their precarious situation. Knowing that their dedication and service is underestimated only compounds their sense of hopelessness.

Physically, the demands of traveling long distances to work, managing multiple responsibilities, and living under constant financial pressure have left many educators exhausted and ill. Lack of stable income prevents them from receiving proper medical care, further aggravating their health problems.

Long-term service without recognition

One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the lack of recognition for long-time faculty. Many of these educators have been in academic training positions for over a decade, devoting their early years to teaching and mentoring students. Despite their unwavering commitment, they occupy temporary positions, without the possibility of accessing permanent employment.

This lack of job security is particularly devastating for those who are now over the age required for regular recruitment. Having devoted their youth to the education sector, they find themselves excluded from other opportunities, effectively trapped in a cycle of underemployment. The systemic failure to provide a career path for these educators is a betrayal of their trust and a waste of their talent.

Wider impact on education

The exploitation of professors in the academic system is not only a personal tragedy; this has far-reaching implications for the quality of education in Jammu and Kashmir. When educators are forced to work under such oppressive conditions, their ability to perform at their best is inevitably compromised. The mental and physical toll of their struggles harms their ability to teach, mentor, and inspire students.

Additionally, the lack of stability and respect for these positions sends a troubling message to the next generation of educators. If teaching is seen as an unstable and undervalued profession, fewer talented individuals will be motivated to pursue it as a career. This could have serious consequences for the education system as a whole, undermining efforts to build a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

The Way Forward: Responding to Demands

The demands of these educators are not unreasonable. They seek fundamental fairness and dignity – rights that should be afforded to every professional. Their main demands are as follows:

• Fair remuneration: A salary structure aligned with UGC norms, reflecting the qualifications and contributions of assistant professors.
• Job security: A global policy of regularization of their services, guaranteeing long-term stability and career development.
• Timely salaries: Streamline bureaucratic processes to ensure salaries are paid on time, including for winter and summer vacations.
• Respectful designation: Recognition of their qualifications and contributions through the designation of assistant professor.

Implementation of these measures would not only improve the lives of pre-service teachers but also strengthen the education system of Jammu and Kashmir.

The role of government

The government has a moral and professional responsibility to resolve these problems. Education is the cornerstone of development and individuals who dedicate their lives to education must be treated with respect and dignity. The academic system’s exploitation of faculty undermines the very foundations of the education system and sends a troubling message about the value of educators in society.

Policymakers must prioritize creating an employment policy that ensures fair pay and job security for these faculty members. This includes reviewing salary structures to align with UGC standards, establishing clear pathways to permanent employment, and addressing inefficiencies that lead to salary delays.

A call to action

The time for change has arrived. The voices of teachers in the academic system must be heard and their struggles urgently addressed. Civil society, student organizations and educators across the country must stand in solidarity with them, amplifying their demands and holding policymakers accountable.

To ignore the plight of these educators would be a grave injustice, not only to them but to the countless students who rely on their guidance and expertise. By investing in the well-being of teachers in the academic system, the government can lay the foundation for a stronger and more equitable education system in Jammu and Kashmir.

Conclusion

The struggles of academic organization teachers in Jammu and Kashmir are a stark reminder of the challenges facing educators in the region. Despite their qualifications and dedication, they are exploited and neglected, deprived of fair pay, job security and the respect they deserve.

It is high time that the government and society recognized the invaluable contributions of these educators and took decisive action to address their grievances. By ensuring fair pay, job security and on-time salaries, we can honor their commitment to education and build a better future for all.

Educators in Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than token recognition: they deserve justice, dignity and the opportunity to flourish.

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The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of the Kashmir Observer.

• The author is Faculty of Academic Arrangement, Department of Political Science GDC, Awantipora.

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