Bhubaneswar: After the Supreme Court made the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for both teacher appointments and promotions, the School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond stated that the Odisha government will review the order and take decisions keeping teachers’ interests in mind.
The Minister’s statement came after a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih ruled that clearing the TET is a must for recruitment and promotion of teachers.
The court clarified that teachers who have only five years left to reach superannuation will be allowed to continue in service without qualifying TET. However, those who have more than five years remaining are required to pass the test in order to remain in service.
Talking to media on Supreme Court’s ruling, Gond said, “The department will review the Supreme Court’s order on TET and take decisions keeping teachers’ interests in mind. Besides, the department will also examine the measures being taken by other states to implement the directive, which makes qualifying TET mandatory for aspiring teachers and in-service teachers seeking promotions. Teachers’ welfare and interests will be considered while taking any decision pertaining to TET.”
The minister acknowledged that many teachers in Odisha are already serving without qualifying the Odisha Teachers’ Eligibility Test (OTET), as it was not a requirement for recruitment earlier. Following the Supreme Court’s verdict, the department will deliberate on the steps required to implement the new guidelines, which aim to standardize teacher eligibility across the state.
