SRINAGAR, May 2: A group of Normal Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers (RRETs) have alleged discrimination in the recent promotions from Teacher to Master in Kashmir’s School Education Department, urging the Education Minister to intervene and ensure justice.
The aggrieved teachers, appointed under the centrally-sponsored RRET scheme launched in 2000 during the National Conference-led government, claim that despite equal dates of joining and regularization, the recent promotion orders have ignored merit and seniority.
In as statement to Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com, as per the teachers, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) issued Order No. 267-DSEK of 2023 dated October 17, 2023, promoting several Normal RRETs to the post of Master. However, the selection was reportedly based on serial numbers rather than seniority criteria such as Date of Birth (DOB), resulting in what the teachers call a “grave injustice”.
Most of those promoted were undergraduates with BA or BSc degrees and had 10+2 as their entry qualification during regularization. Many have since obtained higher degrees like MA, MSc, etc., during service. Yet, our files were sidelined despite fulfilling all requirements,” said one of the affected teachers.
Adding to their dismay, the DSEK issued another promotion order (No. 305-DSEK of 2024 dated December 6, 2024), wherein 372 out of 412 applicants—mostly with private mode degrees—were promoted. A subsequent order (No. 26-DSEK of 2025 dated February 3, 2025) cleared an additional 368 out of 372 applicants. However, numerous teachers with BSc degrees and no pending backlogs remain ignored.
“Why have our files been left to gather dust in the department? We feel marginalized despite fulfilling the same criteria and having dedicated ourselves to the teaching profession,” the teachers questioned.
They have appealed to the Education Minister for immediate redressal, urging a fair review of their service records and timely promotions based on eligibility and contribution to the education sector.
“A fair and transparent process will not only restore our faith in the system but also boost our morale to serve with renewed commitment,” they added. (KDC)
