The Education Department grants a one-time exemption for teaching and support staff who obtain higher qualifications while in service.

Edu deptt has exempted teaching staff but those who obtain higher qualifications can work in the service.

It has given post facto approval to teachers and other department staff who have obtained higher qualification through distance or online means while in service without any approval from the competent authority as announced by srinagar on 16 March.

Teachers and other school education department staff who have obtained higher qualifications through distance or online means without seeking approval from the administrative department were granted a one-time exemption.

According to the kashmir news observer (KNO) Piyush Singla the administrative secretary of the school education department stated that the issue at hand is concerning the grant of permission to teachers and other staff who have obtained higher qualifications through distance or online means without prior approval. In the finalization of seniorities across different disciplines and cadres this has become a hindrance.

Singla said there are some incumbents who obtained their higher qualifications without obtaining permission from the competent authority. Those cases have been further examined in light of government orders issued in 2012 and 2017 regarding the degree of distance mode.

A government order issued in 2012 and 2017 subjected these cases to further investigation regarding the validity of distance mode degrees.

The finance department was consulted for an opinion by the school education department. During 2023 the case file was returned along with some observations and a relevant part by the finance department. The order said the permission must only be granted if the universities or institutions are recognized by the UT government. The course are recognized. The teacher records the leave taken during the examinations in their service book with appropriate entries. Teachers and other school education department staff who have achieved advanced qualification either through distance or online courses during their tenure without the need for prior approval from the relevant authority will be exempt from the sanctions.

It states that the administrative department must comply with the requirements as stated by the finance department. The department will not consider post-facto permission applications for higher qualifications and will only consider applications for prior permission under established procedures or norms.