A major structural reform is underway in Uttarakhand’s Education Department with consensus reached on the creation of a three-tier cadre system. According to the Junior High School Teachers’ Association, a meeting with department officials concluded with an agreement to finalize the draft based on inputs from teacher organizations and forward it to the state government for approval.
Vinod Thapa, the state president of the Junior High School Teachers’ Association, stated that a 21-point charter of demands was discussed during the meeting held at the Directorate of Basic Education. He emphasized that before the three-tier cadre system is implemented, all teacher organizations should be taken into confidence to ensure smooth execution.
Key issues raised during the meeting included timely disbursal of salaries under Samagra Shiksha, provision of OPD and central-grade medical facilities, resolution of the pending ₹17,140 salary grade issue, and a demand to halt ongoing recoveries from teachers.
Thapa further noted that matters requiring higher-level decisions will be forwarded to the state government, while those within the purview of the Education Directorate will be resolved at the departmental level.
The proposed restructuring is expected to streamline promotional pathways and enhance service conditions for teaching staff across the state.
