Education Minister Sakeena Itoo Revokes TET Order for In-Service Teachers; JKECC Hails Move as “Major Relief”

SRINAGAR | February 26, 2026 — In a major administrative breakthrough for the teaching fraternity, the Jammu Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee (JKECC) today met with the Minister for Education, Social Welfare, and Health, Sakeena Itoo, to express their profound gratitude for the government’s decision to keep the contentious Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement for serving educators in abeyance.

The delegation, representing thousands of teachers across the Union Territory, highlighted that the initial order had triggered widespread anxiety among experienced staff, particularly those serving in remote and geographically challenging terrains for decades.

By revoking the directive, the Omar Abdullah-led government has successfully averted a potential morale crisis, reaffirming its commitment to professional stability within the region’s schooling framework.

During the high-level interaction, Minister Sakeena Itoo lauded the dedication of teachers who have sustained the education system despite significant infrastructural and climatic hurdles.

She emphasized that while the government remains steadfast in its pursuit of academic excellence, all future reforms will be implemented through a lens of fairness and stakeholder consultation to ensure they are pragmatic and grounded in reality.

The JKECC representatives described the Minister’s intervention as an “empathetic and pro-education” step that balances high academic standards with the practical challenges faced by veteran educators.

This collaborative move is expected to streamline the implementation of progressive reforms while ensuring that the “backbone” of the education sector remains motivated and supported.