Srinagar, Oct 4 (KNS): Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Sunday said teachers are the cornerstone of the education system and play an indispensable role in shaping the future of society and the nation.

She was addressing a one-day Mega Teachers Conference on ‘Roles, Rights and Responsibilities of Teachers’, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum (JKReTTF) at SCERT Bemina here.

The conference was attended by a large number of teachers and senior officers of the School Education Department.

Appreciating the contribution of teachers towards nation-building, Itoo particularly acknowledged the services of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers who have served in remote, far-flung and difficult areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

She said the Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme played an important role in extending education to areas where educational facilities were earlier inadequate or non-existent.

“The children educated in these schools have gone on to achieve their goals, and the credit for this transformation goes to our teachers,” she said.

Itoo said the government recognised the contribution of teachers and would continue to take steps to strengthen their dignity, professional standing and welfare.

“A teacher is not merely an employee of the Education Department; a teacher is the person who creates the future of our society,” she said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir could not progress without respecting and empowering its teachers.

The minister assured the teaching community that the genuine issues raised during the conference would be examined seriously and addressed within the applicable rules and procedures.

Referring to the recent resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on issues concerning the teaching community, Itoo said it reflected the government's commitment towards teachers.

She said she had personally taken up the matter after receiving representations from teachers and ensured that the issue was brought before the Assembly.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“The resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly was not an act of favour, it was an expression of our responsibility towards the teaching community,” she said.

On the demand for a comprehensive transfer policy for Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers, Itoo said the draft policy was at an advanced stage.

She said the draft had been placed in the public domain to invite suggestions from stakeholders and the suggestions received were being examined for incorporation wherever feasible.

The minister also urged teachers and their representatives to ensure that all required service records and supporting documents were properly compiled and submitted to the concerned authorities to avoid delays in processing service-related cases.

Itoo stressed that teachers' rights must go hand in hand with professional accountability and commitment towards students.

“Rights and responsibilities go together. While the Government remains committed to protecting the legitimate rights and dignity of teachers, I also expect every teacher to continue discharging his or her responsibility towards students with dedication, compassion and professionalism,” she said.

Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani also addressed the conference and appreciated the contribution of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers in strengthening the education system across Jammu and Kashmir.

He acknowledged the services of teachers working in challenging and far-flung areas and underscored their role in ensuring access to education for children in remote communities.

On the occasion, the leadership of the Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum presented a memorandum to the minister highlighting various issues concerning the welfare and professional advancement of teachers.

Representatives of the teaching community also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo for the recent Assembly resolution concerning teachers' issues.(KNS)