Teachers on Road in IIOJK Over Salary Disparities and Job Insecurity

The growing dissatisfaction among contractual teachers in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)’s Higher Education Department is pushing them to take a stand for fair treatment and job stability.

Contractual teachers working in the Higher Education Department of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir staged a protest at Government Degree College (GDC) Handwara, demanding an end to salary disparity and job insecurity. The teachers, who work on short-term contracts, gathered in large numbers at the college, holding placards and voicing their concerns about their inadequate pay and unstable employment conditions.

One of the prominent protesters, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, shared his grievances with the media, highlighting the severe challenges faced by contractual teachers. He emphasized that these teachers bear the brunt of both job insecurity and low wages. Dr. Ahmad further questioned the disparity between the UGC (University Grants Commission) guidelines for selection and the actual salary disbursement. “If the selection process follows UGC norms, why is the department not adhering to these same guidelines when it comes to paying us our salaries?” he asked.

The protesters also warned the authorities of their intent to escalate the matter if their demands are not met in the near future. They expressed their readiness to initiate a hunger strike as a form of protest if the situation remains unresolved. This development signals a growing sense of frustration among the contractual teaching staff who have been striving for fair compensation and job security for years.

The protest, however, has not been without its consequences. Students at GDC Handwara have raised concerns about the disruption to their academic schedules. Many students voiced their frustration, pointing out that ongoing protests were affecting their classes. One student remarked, “Our classes are being disrupted, and we are worried about the impact this will have on our academic progress. We urge the authorities to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”

This situation has drawn attention to the broader issues faced by contractual teachers in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where a lack of job security and poor remuneration continues to undermine their work satisfaction. Teachers argue that their role in shaping the future of students should be respected with proper compensation and long-term stability, which is crucial for the smooth functioning of the education system.

As the protest continues, both teachers and students remain caught in a struggle between demands for justice and the disruption caused to academic life. The authorities are now under increasing pressure to address the concerns of the teachers and restore normalcy to the educational environment.