The recent distribution of regularisation orders to Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) in the School Education Department in different districts in the Jammu region is not simply an administrative task, but instead a significant validation of the worthiness of honest labour, and a major investment in the future of education.
In an action that reflects the core values of justice, dignity, and good governance, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has written an uplifting new chapter in the lives of 863 families.
For many years, these hard-working humans, that include sweepers, helpers, peons, and other support staff, have been the silent, and often invisible, backbone of our government schools.
They have made sure the classrooms were clean, the building was secure, and education was functioning on a day-to-day basis—all whilst working without the guarantees and protections that permanent employment provides. Their loyalty and dedication, in the face of precariousness, speak loudly and clearly to their support of the cause of education.
The action of government therefore, is a solid and long overdue recognition of their service and will change their lives in the most fundamental ways.
Changing from a casual worker to a regular worker provides financial security and identity as a worker. The prerequisites of a regular employee means getting a salary, being employed securely, and not living every day feeling anxious about the future.
The process of regularisation opens doors to a variety of benefits including, a provident fund, gratuity, pension, and medical facilities. This type of support is so beneficial, it supports not just the worker but their entire family, hence leading to well-being and productivity.
When workers are motivated and feel secure, their performance and work quality improves. A regular worker who does not have the anxiety of having to renew their contract each year is likely to be more invested, engaged, and proactive in their work. This has a direct positive effect on the work environment, which in turn affects the students that the J&K education system exists to serve.
This initiative, which is done to support the Jammu region, also reflects the administration’s desire for balanced and equitable development within the entire Union Territory. It sends a strong message that the progress of each region, and of each region’s community, is critical to the region’s overall progress story.
