Populism: Not more than one percent of 42,000 ReT teachers to face screening

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: In a major populist measure, the state government today said that not more than one percent of around 42,000 Rehbr-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers would be screened for their eligibility and competence. The screening of ReT teachers was a major controversy for over a year and half, all along the length of Naeem Akhtar's tenure as Education Minister. The screening was being proposed in wake of a High Court order when an ReT teacher failed to write a basic application. The new minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said today that court orders on screening of Rehbar-e-Talim Teachers are being misinterpreted. He said a wrong message is being spread that this government wants to screen every teacher "which is not true." "We've around 41000-42000 teachers across the state. Out of them only 400-420 (Around 1%) who have obtained degrees from 'tuck shops' (Unrecognized Universities) will face screening," he said, adding, "even these 1 % teachers will be given two chances to prove themselves." "Syllabus of screening test would be of 8th standard. We're not making it tough test," Bukhari added.
The Minister further said that implementation of SRO-66 regarding assessment of the quality of degrees got through distance mode for promotions in education department has been kept in abeyance. He said this order was passed pursuant to cabinet decision of 2012 which required every department to notify the mechanism.