SC directs schools, colleges to appoint teachers only with RTE, NCTE, UGC qualifications

The Supreme Court has issued a direction, restraining the appointment or continuation of teachers in schools and colleges unless they hold the qualifications prescribed under the applicable statutory framework, including the Right to Education Act, National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act and University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, the TimesNow reported.

The order was issued by a chief justice bench while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), challenging statutory schemes given for the provincialisation of teachers and non-teaching staff of educational institutions, the report read.

“As an interim measure, no teacher shall be appointed/observed in schools/colleges unless possessing requisite prescribed qualification under Right to Education Act/NCTE Act/UGC Act,” the Supreme Court ordered, in the report.

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RTE, NCTE, UGC act must for teachers appointment: SC

The decision highlights the requirement for schools and colleges to comply with statutory qualification norms while appointing teachers or continuing them in service, pending further proceedings in the case, the report said.

The matter came to light as prescribed qualifications for teachers are governed by different statutory and regulatory frameworks depending on the level and nature of education, it added.

The RTE Act includes norms related to elementary education, while the NCTE framework governs teacher education and lays down qualification requirements for school teachers, it said.

While, the UGC provides the applicable eligibility and qualification requirements, it added. The order will remain applicable to the further proceedings of the PIL and the court is expected to examine the issues raised in the petition before passing any final directions, it said.

Therefore, the interim order also emphasised on compliance with prescribed qualification norms not only at the stage of appointment, but also during continuation in service, pending the court’s final consideration of the matter.