Regularization of Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers to Follow Existing Framework Without New Policy Amendments
Govt Rules Out Revival of RET Scheme, Regularization to Continue Under 2005 Policy
Jammu, Mar 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ruled out the revival of the Rehbar-e-Taleem (RET) scheme, confirming that the regularization of RET teachers will continue under the existing 2005 policy.
The clarification was issued in response to a starred question raised by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly regarding the recruitment, regularization, and transfer policies for RET teachers and contractual lecturers.
According to the government’s written reply, RET teachers were initially engaged under Government Order No. 396 Edu of 2000 on a village or habitation basis. However, the scheme was officially discontinued in 2018, and no new engagements have been made since. Those appointed before the scheme’s closure will still be regularized under the 2005 policy after completing five years of uninterrupted service and fulfilling all necessary guidelines.
Regarding transfers, the government stated that no formal transfer policy for RET teachers has been devised, and only mutual transfers are currently permitted. The deployment of RET teachers continues based on academic requirements, staff shortages, medical grounds, and court orders. The government also confirmed that rationalization efforts are ongoing across all districts, and the detachment of attached RET teachers will be considered as part of this process.
The response also addressed recruitment rules for non-gazetted posts, noting that these are currently under review, with necessary updates being incorporated.
Additionally, the government clarified that since 2019, no contractual lecturers have been engaged under the School Education Department. Prior to that, contractual lecturers were appointed on an academic arrangement basis. The government asserted that no adhoc lecturers are currently engaged, and therefore, regularization of such lecturers is not under consideration. Consequently, the reservation of such lecturers for permanent recruitment is also not required.
With this confirmation, the government has put an end to speculation regarding the possible revival of the RET scheme while maintaining its commitment to the regularization of eligible teachers under the existing framework.
