Regularization at last

Omar Abdullah’s decision to finally hand out regularization orders to Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) in the School Education Department is more than just an administrative update, it’s a deeply humane move. For decades, these workers have been trapped in a exhausting limbo, keeping schools running on low wages, zero security, and no guarantees about tomorrow. Giving them permanent status isn’t a bureaucratic favor; it is a long-overdue thank you for years of quiet, patient sacrifice.
The School Education Department is the absolute backbone of public life in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in remote, rural villages. In many of these places, CPWs are the ones doing the essential, day-to-day work that keeps school doors open. Yet, despite being completely indispensable, they spent decades being treated as invisible by the system. These kinds of endless delays don’t just drain a worker’s morale; they expose a harsh truth about how casually the government relies on temporary labor.
By finally tackling this issue, the administration is sending a clear message: the struggles of the people at the bottom of the ladder matter. True job security brings dignity, financial breathing room, and peace of mind to thousands of families. It also makes our institutions stronger. When people feel valued and secure, they naturally bring more heart, commitment, and pride to their work.
But while we celebrate this milestone, we can’t ignore the bigger picture. Thousands of other daily-wagers, temporary hands, and contractual workers in other departments are still waiting in the dark. Governments love to lean on temporary workers for years, yet they rarely build clear, fair, or time-bound paths to permanent employment. This structure breeds frustration and deepens the financial anxiety of people who are literally dedicating their lives to public service.
This shouldn’t be a one-time gesture or an isolated headline. The administration needs to build a fair, transparent framework that looks at all temporary workers across J&K. When justice in the workplace is delayed for decades, people lose faith in government.
On the flip side, this new stability is also a fresh chapter of responsibility for the workers. Public schools need dedication, discipline, and energy. Now that these employees have the security they deserve, they have an even bigger role to play in shaping the educational future of our children.
Ultimately, regularizing these workers is about something much larger than a change in employment status. It’s a powerful reminder that governance only truly matters when it listens and responds to the everyday struggles of the ordinary people who keep the system going.