New Delhi: Following massive criticism for its decision to recruit retired teachers in government secondary and higher secondary schools in the state as a stopgap measure, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat has rolled back the move.

Earlier, TET (Teacher Eligibility Test )-TAT (Teacher Aptitude Test) passed candidates, had slammed the decision and opposed the move to hire retired teachers, reported New Indian Express.

Owing to vacancies remaining even after regular teacher appointments and knowledge assistant hiring was completed, the government had proposed recruiting retired teachers.

the Gujarat Education Department on July 25, 2025 issued a circular that cleared the appointment of retired teachers under an 11-month contract.

The state government took the decision despite the fact that thousands of TET-TAT qualified youth were waiting for permanent jobs.

But the move backfired, as unemployed teaching aspirants accused the government of sidelining deserving candidates.

Amid the protests, the Opposition Congress too attacked the government terming the entire episode as a “dirty game.”

“More than 50,000 TET-TAT passed youth are waiting for jobs, and over 30,000 posts are lying vacant, yet the government chose to hand temporary contracts to retired teachers. This is a dirty game being played proof that the government has no intention of employing the youth,” said Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker.

The New Indian Express report said that as a results of the protest, the government withdrew the policy within 48 hours.

"The instructions to assign work to retired teachers as an interim arrangement for posts that remained vacant after the regular recruitment of teachers and appointment of knowledge assistants in government and granted secondary and higher secondary schools are hereby cancelled with original effect, “a new government circular stated.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.