Srinagar, Sept. 27 -- There is a difference between raising a demand and having the power to fulfil it. That difference appears particularly important in the recent debate over the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution seeking exemption from TET for teachers appointed before October 31, 2019. The resolution, moved by School Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, urges the Union Government to amend Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and also seeks necessary action through the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

The resolution has understandably generated hope among thousands of teachers. But ther...