Overlooked and Undervalued: The Plight of Contractual Professors in Jammu and Kashmir
Syed Irfan Shafi | 22 October 2024 | Kashmir Observer
The recent discussions led by the newly elected Education Minister followed by bureaucrats and politicians about the academic calendar—whether to adopt a March or November session—may seem like a matter of priority for the education system. However, in focusing on these administrative changes, an even more pressing and deeply emotional issue continues to be overlooked: the long-standing plight of Kashmir’s highly educated youth, particularly those working as contractual Assistant Professors and Lecturers in colleges and universities for decades. These individuals, despite holding advanced degrees such as PhDs, are trapped in a cycle of uncertainty, struggling to secure permanent employment, and their professional futures hang in the balance.
Imagine dedicating years of your life to study and research, achieving the highest levels of academic qualification, only to find yourself employed on a temporary, contractual basis for years, with no promise of job security. This is the harsh reality faced by thousands of scholars in Jammu & Kashmir. They are the backbone of our education system—delivering lectures, mentoring students, and advancing knowledge—yet they remain in a state of professional limbo. Their contributions are undeniably vital to the functioning of colleges and universities, but their efforts have gone largely unrecognized by the higher authorities. Each year brings renewed contracts, but no concrete steps are taken to secure their futures, leaving them feeling abandoned by the very system they serve. The emotional toll this takes on these highly qualified individuals is immense. It’s not just about job security or income—it’s about dignity, self-worth, and the hope of having a clear future. For many, the dream of contributing to academia is fading, replaced by feelings of frustration and helplessness. With no stable career path in sight, these scholars are forced to seek other means of livelihood. It is heartbreaking to witness PhD scholars, people who have spent years pursuing the pinnacle of academic excellence, standing on the streets selling dry fruits. They have been pushed into this situation by a system that has failed them, and the emotional weight of such a fall from grace cannot be overstated…