On the 16th November, 2010, when the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board invited applications for 5845 posts - advertisement No. 7 of 2010 – for the aspirants the joy knew no bounds. Those who had done M. Ed and B. Ed from the state universities - Jammu University and Kashmir University - were optimistic. They thought they had better chances. But pitted against the students who have done PG from some little known universities from outside the state, they were proved miserably wrong.
Thus far the selection lists that have come out for District Ganderbal, Anantnag, Shopian and Budgam have candidates from outside universities topping the list, owing to their high percentage of marks in B. Ed and M.Ed.
Most of the candidates who believe have performed well in the qualifying exams don’t find themselves in the list. This is how they explain it to themselves: “Candidates who don’t even qualify for admission in Kashmir University have returned from outside Universities with marks cards that prove decisive.” Shabir Ahmad Kuchai, a candidate having applied for district Budgam, though a Post Graduate with B. Ed, doesn’t find himself in the list. “Most of the candidates have paid money and purchased the degrees from little known, may be even fake, universities. What is more frustrating is that SSB recognizes those degrees.” This is how Kuchai finds it. Mohammad Waseem Bhat has also failed to make it to the Shopian list, heartbroken he says, “What is the fun of being a PG, with  B. Ed and M. Ed from Kashmir University when somebody from some unknown University comes and tops the list; and that too despite lesser grades in  12th and graduation.” Another candidate from Budgam who features in the waiting list, on the conditions of anonymity said, “What standard and quality is Kashmir University talking about when the people from outside Universities have a cake walk with higher percentage of marks. Why at all do our examiners evaluate papers so strictly.”
The students studying in Kashmir University are already feeling the heat; Irfan Ahmad, a student pursuing Post Graduation in the Department of Library and Information Sciences said: “My friend didn’t get admission here because he couldn’t pass the entrance. He went for a private institution, outside valley; did M. Sc in Biotechnology and got 89%. I being second topper in the Kashmir University have just secured 72% in PG.” now anyone can tell who stands where if posts are advertised by the SSRB!
We asked the noted Educationist Prof. A. G. Madhosh what needs to be done so that the deserving candidates get their due in future. “I think for selection of teachers, Teachers’ Aptitude Test is the need of the hour. It will separate wheat from the chaff. At the same time we will have to take tough decisions for Universities and Higher Education. Why such discrepancies in percentage. Evaluation system is the weak link of our education system. It is not that we don’t know how to evaluate, but we need to do things differently. Continuous and comprehensive evaluation system could be the answer. But the question is that are we ready for that.”
When asked about the loopholes in the evaluation system followed by Kashmir University, Registrar University of Kashmir, Prof. Syed Fayaz Ahmad said, “This problem is being faced by the pass outs. We award the marks on the basis of merit of the answers, so no problem there. But we believe some universities outside J&K give excess percentage. We do realize that for teachers’ recruitment aptitude test will serve the purpose and we are seriously thinking about going for aptitude test in the future. Having said that, it is up to the Government to take decision on this. We have suggested it to the government from time to time, though.”
Teacher selection lists have come out for many districts, and more will come. Unfortunately the same story will be repeated. Kashmir University pass outs will be at the bottom. Keep your fingers crossed for some more ugly stories. Experts say that switching over to a new policy is the remedy. What about the victims of earlier policies?

“It is an area of concern”
GK Magazine placed the problem before  the Chairman Service Selection Board B. D. Bhagat. This is how he explained things in this regard.
How long shall we follow this system that is heavily loaded in favour of higher percentage, which can be obtained from many universities so easily?
It is an area of concern. Based on my experience as the chairman of the board, and earlier as a member, I have recommended written test for all cadres, disbanding   the marks of academics. 90% weightage be given to the written test and 10 % for the viva voce; and there should be the basic qualification of trained graduate. I am very grateful to the Government that it has constituted a committee for the purpose. The govt. is seriously thinking about this issue and modalities are being worked out. As on date according to the Higher education department letter we should only give weightage to the DOEACC, MANUU & IGNOU.
Every selection list for teachers has people from outside universities topping the list, and one such University seems to have bagged all the top positions, and those from Kashmir University are either at the bottom or nowhere. Your take.
Since the University you named is recognized by the UGC, and students are pursuing the studies regularly, we don’t have any jurisdiction to challenge the authority of the university. However, the selection of the applicants from that particular University would be subject to the verification of bona fide students of that University.
You talk of change in recruitment policy now. What about the aspirants who have been victims of the policy followed thus far; some of them have even crossed the age limit.
The problem that you are talking about, is, was and will remain forever. The employment opportunities are limited. Therefore even if we switch to the written mode, only a limited number of applicants will be selected. Rest of the candidates will meet the same fate. But I agree, quality must prevail. In order to bring total transparency there should be a committee composed of academics, which will prepare a question bank for aptitude tests to be conducted for recruitment of people in Government as well as private sector.
What about the candidates of Priest University, they spent hefty amounts for admission and you are not recognizing their degrees?
In the first instance who asked them to go outside without checking whether we recognize that University or not. Anyway the case is subjudice whatsoever the court decides will be binding on either party.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST