B.Ed Graduates’ Eligibility For Primary School Teacher Jobs: August 2023 Judgment To Apply Pan-India, SC Clarifies – News18

The Supreme Court issued a significant clarification on Monday, April 8, regarding the employment status of B.Ed. degree holders working as primary school teachers. Emphasizing that the primary teacher’s qualifications are pivotal, the apex body provided detailed clarification on a decision made in August 2023.

According to the ruling, teachers who were appointed through advertisements requiring a B.Ed. degree will retain their positions. This decision was prompted by a petition filed regarding the employment status of B.Ed. degree holders as primary teachers. In response, the Supreme Court had previously declared on August 11, 2023, that B.Ed. degree holders were ineligible for primary teacher positions.

Following this decision, concerns arose among serving primary teachers. However, the Supreme Court has clarified that the ruling will not affect teachers recruited before the August decision; their jobs will remain secure.

Furthermore, the apex court emphasised that candidates hired through regular appointments, with B.Ed. listed as a qualification in the job advertisement, will continue to be eligible for their positions.

The Supreme Court’s order applies nationwide, impacting primary teacher appointments across all states. In response to a clarification petition filed by the Madhya Pradesh government, the division bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia reaffirmed the decision on April 8. The bench underscored that the constitutional right to primary education in India extends beyond free and compulsory education for children under 14, emphasizing the provision of quality education.

In light of this, the Supreme Court reiterated that the ruling applies not only to Madhya Pradesh but to the entire country, ensuring uniformity in primary teacher appointments.