Bhubaneswar, Sept 2: The recent Supreme Court ruling making the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for both teacher recruitment and promotions has sparked concern across Odisha’s teaching community. Responding to the development, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond assured that the state government will carefully review the order and take decisions with teachers’ welfare as the priority.

The apex court bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih ruled that passing TET is compulsory for teachers, while granting relaxation to those nearing retirement. Teachers with less than five years of service left can continue without clearing TET, but others must qualify to remain eligible for appointments or promotions.

Speaking to the media, Minister Gond said, “We will study the court’s ruling in detail and also examine how other states are implementing it. Teachers’ interests will not be compromised.” He acknowledged that a large number of Odisha’s teachers were recruited before the Odisha Teachers’ Eligibility Test (OTET) became a norm.

The department will now deliberate on steps to implement the guidelines, which aim to standardize teaching standards nationwide while safeguarding the rights of serving teachers.

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