Jammu: President J&K employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) and Chairman J&K Teachers Forum (JKTF) Mohd Rafique Rather on Thursday voiced apprehensions over what he called “ a malicious campaign” unleashed by some vested interests to defame teachers of J&K School Education Department.
Addressing a press Conference President EJAC Rafiq Rather in presence of several EJAC leaders from both Kashmir Valley and Jammu division gave a detailed description of his recent meeting with Commissioner Secretary School Education and other officers of the department with regard to recent orders of termination of so called “Deadwood” from the department. Rather on one side highlighted the issues of employees of department of education which impedes the smooth functioning and sought urgent redressal of all issues which he described legitimate and justified while as on the other hand he lashed out at some vested interests who in the garb of so called “deadwood” have launched a malicious campaign against teaching community of Jammu and Kashmir to tarnish their image, reputation and contribution as well. He said that it’s unfortunate that some media persons intentionally or unintentionally have also become part of this campaign to demonise, demoralize and defame nation builders and added that whole of the teaching community feels harassed and humiliated with this false and frivolous propaganda against them.
Rather expressed serious concern the way ground officers have misinterpreted the order and have started intimidating and humiliating teachers on one pretext or the other and in some cases teachers are being threatened of termination on personal likes and dislikes. Article 226(2) cannot be and should not be used arbitrarily, Which is against the spirit of the constitution and the law itself, Rather added. He said EJAC stands for creating better work culture and corruption free society besides serving the people at all costs and in all situations. Highlighting the contribution of teaching community in extremely adverse working conditions, he said that teachers have not only raised the standard of education in JK and are instrumental in increasing literacy rate but have also worked as frontline warriors in COVID 19, while putting their lives in risk.
Rather said that EJAC is not against invoking of Article 226(2) in cases where a government employee does not give desired output but at the same time, he said that there should be a foolproof mechanism to deal with such cases where principles of justice are followed in letter and spirit.
Sharing with the press the assurances from commissioner secretary school education regarding dead wood, Rather said that teaching community need not to worry and feel disgusted and added that no teacher shall be targeted the way rumors are being spread around.
Thanking Commissioner Secretary School Education B.K.Singh for his kind and sympathetic consideration of all demands put forth by EJAC delegation, President EJAC said that teaching community need to put all efforts to make JK a model State in quality education by updating their skills and implementing innovative schemes under NEP 2020.other leaders of EJAC who attended the press conference were Mohd Afzal Bhatt, SaleemSagar, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Rajesh Jamwal, Radhey Sham, Tariq Ahmad Lone, Muzafer Dar, Azad Hussain, Malik Ashraf,Javid Ahmad Khan, AbQayoom, Tahir Ahmad Sofi,Mir Bashir and others.