J&K United School Teachers Association Submits Memorandum to Director of School Education Jammu

Jammu, March 17, 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir United School Teachers Association (USTA) submitted a memorandum to the Director of School Education Jammu, highlighting several pressing issues faced by teachers across the region. The delegation, led by President Pardeep Singh Jamwal, included members such as Roop Chand, Rajeev Kumar Sharma, J.A. Malik, Surinder Singh, Sunil Tappa, Vijay Kumar, Punit Kour, Aditi Suri, Shamsher Bajgotra, Som Nath, Thoru Ram, and others.

During the meeting, the delegation emphasized the need for urgent action on several key concerns affecting the teaching community. The memorandum outlined the following demands:

1. Timely Distribution of Free Books
   The association urged authorities to ensure the complete and timely distribution of free textbooks according to current enrollment figures by the first week of April.
2. Fair Transfer and Modification Policy
   USTA demanded a transparent transfer and modification policy for all Teachers, Masters, Head Masters, and Lecturers. They stressed the need for priority to be given to chronically ill staff and those nearing retirement.
3. Boundary Wall Construction for Rural Schools
   The memorandum highlighted the urgent need for the construction of boundary walls in schools, especially in rural areas, to ensure the safety of students and staff.
4. Higher Education and Promotion Opportunities
   The association called for the clearance of pending permission cases for teachers seeking higher education qualifications and timely promotions.
5. Filling of Vacant Posts
   The delegation insisted on filling all existing vacant posts of Masters, Head Masters, Lecturers, and fourth-class employees through the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).
6. Withdrawal of Non-Academic Duties
   Teachers, Masters, and Lecturers should be relieved from all non-academic duties so that they can focus on educational responsibilities.
7. Mid-Day Meal Honorarium Increase
   USTA urged the authorities to increase the honorarium for Mid-Day Meal workers and Ayyas, acknowledging their essential role in school operations.
8. Regularization of In-Charge Officers
   The association demanded the regularization of in-charge Lecturers, Head Masters, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), and other officers.
9. Reopening of Schools with Sufficient Strength
   The delegation also raised concerns about schools whose Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) codes had been abolished. They demanded that schools with sufficient student strength and infrastructure be reopened.

The teachers’ community is in dire need of immediate intervention to address these pressing concerns. USTA has called upon the authorities to take prompt action and ensure that the education system functions smoothly, benefiting both teachers and students.

The meeting concluded with the assurance from the Director of School Education Jammu that the demands would be reviewed and appropriate actions would be taken to address the concerns of the teaching community.