Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 23: Engaged under National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), the Vocational Trainers in J&K are staring at dark in the absence of basic benefits while they are working on the same salary as was given to them 4 years ago.
A number of these Vocational Trainers told Excelsior that despite being in the 4th year of jobs their salaries are stagnant.
“It is the same as we were granted at the start, which is much less than the teachers teaching non-vocational subjects. The principle of equal pay for equal work is missing from the scheme,” they said.
To ensure the employability of educated youth, the NSQF was introduced in the schools of the State in the year 2016. The scheme was entrusted to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan now Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for implementation.
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan then engaged Private Companies as Vocational Training Providers (VTPs), through a bidding process and engaged qualified eligible persons for the posts of Vocational Trainers (VTs). About 1700 VTs are engaged as on date.
Through a proper selection process, these companies selected highly qualified candidates as Vocational Trainers, which include PGs, MBAs, MCAs, in some cases even more qualified.
They also said that they are not getting any annual pay increase along with CPF, Leave or Insurance cover.
“All the basic elements of a white collared job are missing. Recently a colleague of ours died in harness but his NOK got nothing from his employer,” they said.
They also stated that during the four years of running of this scheme, which was introduced from Class 9 in the year 2016. “The enrolment has gone up fourfold as today four classes are being taught up to Class 12 in each Higher Secondary School.”
Notably, these Vocational Trainers are presently teaching a fifth compulsory (optional) subject to classes 9th, 10th 11th and 12th and passing this subject is essential for class 11 and class 12.
These teachers also said that in the last four years the NSQF Scheme has been highly successful as the pass percentage in the subjects taught under the scheme has been much higher than non-vocational subjects.
Pertinent to mention here that all the Vocational Trainers are doing similar kind of duties but different companies, which, have engaged them, they said, are paying them different wages.
“There is no transparency in payment of wages as no salary slips are being issued by them,” they said.
These teachers said that a sympathetic consideration and a regularisation policy be envisaged for these Vocational Trainers on the same pattern as that for the contractual employees of the then Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan now Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
“Or the scope of the Committee constituted vide Govt. Order No. 146-JK(GAD) of 2019 dated 06.12.2019 be enlarged to include Vocational Trainers of School Education Department as well,” they demanded.
Follow our WhatsApp channel