MLAs Kuldeep Raj Dubey and Rajiv Jasrotia Grill Government on ReT Teachers’ Transfers, Recruitment Policies, and School Infrastructure
Avinash Azad
In a heated exchange during the recent Jammu & Kashmir Assembly session, MLAs Kuldeep Raj Dubey and Rajiv Jasrotia raised pressing concerns about the transfer policies, recruitment rules, and regularization of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers, alongside the stagnation of school upgradation in the Reasi constituency. The government, in its detailed response, defended its existing policies while shedding light on the operational and financial constraints shaping its decisions.
ReT Teachers’ Transfers: A Question of Fairness
MLA Kuldeep Raj Dubey opened the discussion by questioning whether ReT teachers had been transferred across Zonal, District, and Divisional levels in violation of rules, alleging a “pick and choose” approach. The government swiftly denied these claims, asserting that no such irregular transfers had taken place. It clarified that a few transfers were executed based on security or health concerns, mutual agreements, and for female ReTs following marriage, as per the Administrative Department Notification No. 02-IK (Edu) of 2023, dated June 15, 2023. The government emphasized that its comprehensive 2023 Transfer Policy, implemented through an online Annual Transfer Drive (ATD), ensures transparency and fairness.
Dubey further pressed the government on whether the lack of transparency in the transfer policy disproportionately affected female teachers, causing hardships in their daily lives. The government countered that its policy already addresses such exigencies, with provisions for female teachers facing serious ailments, single parenthood, divorce, widowhood, or caring for specially-abled children. “The system is designed to support our teaching faculty, especially women,” the government reiterated.
Stagnation in School Upgradation in Reasi
Turning to infrastructure, Dubey highlighted the lack of school upgradation in his Reasi constituency over the past several years, seeking details on remedial steps. The government admitted there is “no immediate proposal” for upgradation across J&K, including Reasi, citing the need for significant infrastructure augmentation and teaching staff in already upgraded schools. “Any upgradation involves huge financial implications, which must be approved by the Finance Department. Given J&K’s current financial position, it’s not advisable to proceed,” the government explained.
ReT Recruitment and Regularization: Policy in Flux
MLA Rajiv Jasrotia broadened the debate, questioning the government’s stance on the recruitment, regularization, and transfer of ReT teachers. The government traced the history of the ReT scheme, launched under Government Order No. 396 Edu of 2000, which recruited teachers on a village/habitation basis. However, it noted that the scheme was discontinued in 2018 vide Government Order No. 919 Edu of 2018, halting fresh engagements. Existing ReTs, it added, are regularized after five years of uninterrupted service as per Government Order No. 549 Edu of 2005. While a specific transfer policy for ReTs is yet to be formulated, mutual transfers are permitted.
Jasrotia also sought zone-wise details of ReTs attached or deployed across Jammu districts and steps for their detachment. The government provided the data, explaining that such deployments were need-based—driven by staff shortages, medical grounds, or court orders. It assured that a rationalization process is underway, during which the detachment of attached ReTs will be addressed.
Recruitment Rules and Contractual Lecturers Pressing further, Jasrotia asked if the government plans to amend recruitment rules for teachers and ReTs. The government revealed that non-gazetted recruitment rules are under review, with updates in progress, but reaffirmed that the ReT scheme remains closed with no intent to revive it. On the regularization of ad-hoc, contractual, or academic arrangement lecturers with five years of service, the government clarified that such engagements ceased in 2019, rendering regularization irrelevant. Similarly, it dismissed the idea of reserving seats for these lecturers in regular recruitment, stating, “No contractual or ad-hoc lecturers are currently engaged, so reservation is not required.”
