Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday quashed the draft merit list published by Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) to recruit over 18,000 junior teachers in primary (classes I to V) and upper primary (classes V to VIII) schools.
While closing the case, the court directed the concerned authority to publish a district-wise list as per the government guidelines, said Samir Das, petitioner’s lawyer.
“The High Court today quashed the State-wise combined list and also ordered to prepare district-wise list again”, Das told reporters.
He informed that the government had made the guidelines that the merit list should be prepared district-wise based on which the appointment of the teachers would be made. As per the norms, the application of the candidate would be considered based on his first preference. But, the government prepared a combined list ignoring the candidates’ preference, Das added.
Challenging the move of the government, some candidates moved to the High Court, alleging that OPSEPA published the merit list of candidates without adhering to the guidelines which were issued by the School and Mass Education department through a resolution on August 22, 2023 for the recruitment of junior teachers.
As a result, several candidates did not find a place in the merit list, the petition had alleged.
