Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 5: Reiterating its demands, the Jammu and Kashmir Vocational Trainers Welfare Association (JKVTWA) has urged the Government to restore fairness to vocational education in the Union Territory by addressing grievances of the trainers.
Talking to media persons, here today, the Vocational Trainers threw light on their issues and demands, which include the elimination of Vocational Training Partners (VTPs), a significant salary increase, and a system that recognizes and rewards their contributions.
“Vocational education was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016 with the promise of empowering students with practical, job-ready skills. However, since its inception, we vocational trainers have endured relentless suffering that has now become unbearable,” they said, adding that the root of their hardships lies in the commercialization of education through Vocational Training Partners (VTPs)-private companies engaged by the Government.
Alleging that these companies have transformed a noble initiative into a profit-making venture, the Vocational Trainers claimed that they bear the full burden of teaching, mentoring, and delivering results, yet VTPs falsely claim credit for their efforts.
“They propagate a misleading narrative that they are responsible for the program’s success, while contributing little beyond administrative overhead. For nearly 10 years, we have served in some of the most challenging and hard-to-reach areas of J&K, yet our salaries remain abysmally low and stagnant since 2016,” said the Trainers, who added that despite teaching multiple classes across grades 9 to 12 and often working longer hours than regular teachers- they are paid far less, with no adjustments for inflation or rising living costs.
Urging the Government to urgently address their grievances and meet their rightful demands, the Vocational Trainers threatened to escalate their protest by taking to streets and refusing to resume their duties until justice is served.
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