Honorarium Hike for Vocational Trainers, Orders Arrears with Retrospective Effect
Jammu | January 31 Ishfaq Gowhar
In a move widely seen as reinforcing its commitment to education-sector reforms and employee welfare, the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved a long-awaited enhancement in the honorarium of Vocational Trainers working under the Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI schemes.The decision, formalised through an official order issued by the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, J&K, provides for a revised pay structure with retrospective effect from April 1, 2024, and includes clear directions for the release of pending arrears.
As per the revised rates, Vocational Trainers engaged prior to April 1, 2022, will now receive a monthly honorarium of ₹25,000, up from ₹24,000. Trainers engaged on or after April 1, 2022, will see their monthly remuneration increased from ₹20,000 to ₹22,000.
Crucially, the government has directed Vocational Training Partners to disburse arrears for the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, within 15 days of issuance of the order, ensuring timely implementation and preventing further delays that have plagued the scheme in the past.
Political observers and officials alike note that the decision marks a clear policy shift following the return of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the administration has moved swiftly to address long-standing service grievances of contractual and skill-based educators, many of whom had been demanding revision of honorarium for several years.Sources in the School Education Department said the file gained momentum soon after the elected government assumed office, reflecting a renewed emphasis on consultative governance and responsiveness to ground-level concerns. The enhancement, they said, was finalised after securing all statutory approvals from the Project Approval Board and the Executive Committee.
Vocational Trainers play a pivotal role in delivering skill-based education in government schools, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the Union Territory. The honorarium hike is expected to improve morale, retention, and overall quality of vocational education, which is a key pillar of the government’s broader employment-oriented education strategy.
Trainer associations have welcomed the move, calling it a “much-needed correction” after years of stagnation amid rising inflation and workload pressures.
Beyond its immediate financial impact, the decision carries political significance. It underscores the Omar Abdullah government’s attempt to rebuild institutional trust and demonstrate that governance under an elected setup can deliver tangible outcomes—especially for sections of the workforce that often remain at the margins of policy attention.Officials confirmed that Chief Education Officers and concerned authorities have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the order and facilitate smooth reimbursement processes.
As the government navigates fiscal constraints and administrative transition, the honorarium enhancement is being viewed as an early signal of its intent to prioritise education, dignity of labour, and timely decision-making—themes that are likely to remain central to its governance narrative in the months ahead.
