Srinagar, Jan 23 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar on Thursday expressed grave concern over the worsening plight of Vocational Trainers (VTs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Akhtar said the challenges faced by these trainers, who have served under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) for the past decade are immense. He urged the government to formulate a comprehensive policy for their regularization and equitable treatment.
Akhtar in a statement issued to the news agency, said that despite repeated assurances from the government—both pre- and post-election—no concrete measures have been implemented to address the legitimate grievances of the VTs. He noted that the prolonged neglect has left the trainers with no choice but to take their demands to the streets.
“Vocational Trainers play an instrumental role in equipping the youth with skill-based education aimed at combating unemployment in the region,” Akhtar said. He added that their relentless efforts have yielded remarkable outcomes, with students consistently achieving a 95% success rate in board examinations for classes 9 through 12. He pointed out that this success has come despite challenging conditions, including a teacher-student ratio exceeding 1:100.
However, Akhtar who has served as the former education minister lamented that despite their significant contributions to the education sector, VTs remain undervalued and unrecognized. “Many trainers earn meager salaries that barely cover basic necessities, leaving their families in financial distress,” he said. Adding to their woes, he highlighted the lack of job security and the fact that, in cases where a trainer has passed away, their families have reportedly received no compensation. “This stark neglect has left the trainers in dire straits,’” Akhtar said
