Education is hailed as the backbone of society, but in Jammu and Kashmir, those entrusted with the sacred duty of educating the youth—contractual college lecturers—are subjected to relentless exploitation and apathy. These lecturers, appointed as per UGC guidelines and meeting the same qualifications as their permanent counterparts, are treated with a level of disdain that underscores the systemic failure of our education system.
Contractual lecturers are required to take a minimum of five classes a day, often juggling additional administrative responsibilities. Despite their significant contributions to the smooth functioning of colleges, they are paid a meagre Rs 28,000 per month for a limited tenure of six to seven months. This paltry salary is not even disbursed on time, causing financial distress and humiliation. In glaring contrast, permanent lecturers, who often shirk their duties and fail to take even a single class, are rewarded with salaries in lakhs, disbursed promptly. This blatant inequality raises serious ethical and administrative concerns.
Adding insult to injury, contractual lecturers are subjected to an arduous bureaucratic process before being hired. They must undergo document verification, CID clearance, and police verification, a tedious and humiliating ordeal. On the other hand, permanent staff enjoy their positions without being subjected to such invasive scrutiny. This discrimination between contractual and permanent employees, despite their equal qualifications and similar job responsibilities, is both unjust and indefensible.
The Indifference of the government and higher authorities towards the plight of contractual lecturers is appalling. Their promises of reform and support remain hollow, as no concrete measures have been taken to address the issues faced by these educators. The administration’s failure to regularize their positions, ensure fair pay, or guarantee timely salary disbursements highlights a deep-rooted apathy that borders on shamelessness. This neglect is not just an administrative lapse; it is a violation of the basic rights and dignity of these professionals.
Contractual lecturers, despite their precarious employment status, are the backbone of the education system in Jammu and Kashmir. They carry out most of the teaching responsibilities, ensuring the smooth conduct of academic sessions. Yet, their contributions go unrecognized, and they are treated as expendable. This exploitation is a national disgrace and a betrayal of the ideals of education.
The uncertainty of their employment takes a severe psychological toll on contractual lecturers. Living in constant fear of non-renewal, coping with delayed salaries, and facing blatant discrimination, they are left demoralized and disillusioned. This impacts their mental well-being and inevitably affects the quality of education they provide. How can educators be expected to inspire and guide students when they themselves are treated with such disrespect?
The disparity between contractual and permanent lecturers is particularly striking given that both are appointed under UGC guidelines and hold similar academic qualifications. Yet, while one group enjoys financial security and professional respect, the other is left to languish in insecurity and indignity. This glaring contradiction raises fundamental questions about fairness and justice in our education system.
The situation demands immediate action. The government must ensure salaries are disbursed on time, without excuses or delays. The paltry remuneration offered to contractual lecturers must be revised to reflect their workload and qualifications, ensuring parity with permanent staff. Steps must also be taken to provide job security, either through regularization of their positions or by offering longer-term contracts. Furthermore, their critical contributions to the education system must be acknowledged and respected.
The plight of contractual college lecturers in Jammu and Kashmir is a damning indictment of how society undervalues its educators. The government’s indifference and the systemic inequalities that perpetuate this exploitation must be confronted and addressed without delay. These educators, who dedicate their lives to shaping the minds of future generations, deserve respect, dignity, and fair treatment. It is high time that the voices of contractual lecturers were heard and their grievances were addressed. The future of education in Jammu and Kashmir depends on the just and equitable treatment of its teachers. Let this be a wake-up call for those in power to act decisively and end this shameful neglect.
The writer is an Assistant Professor (Academic Arrangement) at the Government Degree College (GDC), Kulgam
Dr NazimQayoom Rather
nq****@***il.com